Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy’s proposed midterm budget adjustments would reduce the state’s rail and bus subsidies by $12.2 million.

Under the plan, the Governor would reduce the state’s rail operations subsidy by $9.9 million and the state’s bus operations subsidy by $2.3 million.

The proposal justifies these cuts on the basis of a January 1st bus and train fare increase, which means that, if the budget passes, Connecticut transit riders would be paying more to maintain the status quo. The state would be balancing its budget on the backs of bus and rail commuters.

“[The cuts] reflect annualized savings due to [a] January 1, 2012 fare increase,” reads the budget (p. B-89).

While the proposed budget does improve Shore Line East service on weekends and expands Waterbury’s nighttime bus operations, the proposed diversion of fare revenue from transit is a marked shift from Governor Malloy’s usually-staunch support for transit. Last year, Governor Malloy made important moves to ensure that more transportation revenues stayed in the Special Transportation Fund, and this has produced tangible results for transportation projects in the state.

As the General Assembly reviews the proposed budget, legislators should find a way to work with Governor Malloy to ensure that the New Year’s Day fare hikes mean improved service for transit riders.

State Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-143) and 26 other lawmakers have taken a step in this direction by introducing a bill that would “require that the Department of Transportation use an amount equal to the amount of revenue raised from the scheduled twelve per cent fare increase on Connecticut bus and rail passengers over the next three years for upgrades to bus and rail service operations and maintenance.”

Representative Lavielle and other legislators will hold a press conference on the issue at 10am on Thursday.