FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gail Lavielle, Wilton Commissioner, CPTC

(203) 762 7373

(203) 832 3806

FAIRFIELDCOUNTYRESIDENTSSPEAK OUTABOUT MASS TRANSIT

AT NORWALK PUBLIC HEARING

NEWINGTON, May 20 – On the evening of May 19, the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission (CPTC), which advises the Governor, the Transportation Committee of the General Assembly, and the state's Department of Transportation (DOT), held a public hearing at NorwalkCity Hall. Approximately 40 public officials and residents of Wilton and other FairfieldCounty towns attended the hearing, and another dozen submitted written testimony. Peter A. Richter of the DOT also made a brief presentation about the State Rail Plan.

"The Commission thanks everyone who took the time to share their views on mass transit in FairfieldCounty," said CPTC Commissioner Gail Lavielle of Wilton. "Understanding the concerns of Connecticut's residents is the most important part of our job, because we act as a conduit to ensure that those concerns reach the decision-makers at the state level, where we can help to see that they influence policy."

Those who spoke at the hearing included State Senator Toni Boucher of the 26th district; Wilton First Selectman William F. Brennan; Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss, who also chairs the South Western Regional Metropolitan Planning Organization; Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi; Wilton Selectmen Harold Clark and Richard F. Creeth; Wilton Energy Commission Chairman Michael Lindberg; Connecticut Sierra Club Transportation Committee Chair Molly McKay; South Western Regional Planning Association Senior Transportation Planner Craig Lader; and Rail Commuter Council Chairman Jim Cameron.

Among those who submitted written testimony were House Minority Leader and State Representative Lawrence Cafero of the 142nd district; Jonathan Chew, Executive Director, Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO); John K. Busby of Davis Marcus Management; and Jara Burnett, Connecticut League of Women Voters Transportation Specialist.

"FairfieldCounty is the region of Connecticut with the greatest need and the greatest use for public transportation, as well as the greatest population density," said State Sen. Toni Boucher.

"Although we've seen significant progress here in the last year, we must continue to plan for and fund necessary improvements and upgrades, despite tough economic conditions.That means knowing if, and where, light rail would be feasible. It means newer, faster trains; better, more convenient schedules; modern rail stations with adequate parking; and good bus service."

CT Public Transportation Commission public hearingpage 2

"Things are taking too long, and people are frustrated," said Ridgefield First Selectman Rudy Marconi. "It seems like every project gets stuck in state bureaucracy and nothing happens for years. Projects move much faster in New York and Massachusetts. For people to believe that there's going to be progress, we have to see more quick wins, like the two new trains on the Danbury line."

Weston First Selectman Woody Bliss stressed the importance of integrated transit systems. "People mustn't think in silos," he said. "To reduce traffic congestion and increase mass transit use, all modes of transportation must work together. Rail station parking must be improved. We have to consider having more buses, maybe even light rail. And we have to look at ways to use congestion pricing to get people to change their driving habits – to take mass transit, drive at different times, or carpool."

Wilton First Selectman William F. Brennan applauded the DOT's work on widening Route 7. "The work is on schedule, and there has been good communication with the Town," he said. "We are also pleased about the recent improvements made to the Cannondale station, although they were costly and took longer than expected. But the Wilton station is a major issue. It has been locked up tight for three and a half years. In the winter, commuters must wait in their cars and dash out when their trains arrive. Get this station opened."

Wilton Energy Commission Chairman Michael Lindberg called attention to the environmental imperatives of improving mass transit. "A key mandate of the Connecticut Climate Change Action Plan is to double transit ridership by 2020. This is critical for reducing carbon emissions. To reach this goal, we'll need not only better rail service with higher capacity, but also effective intermodal transit connectivity, to help people travel more easily between train stations and their homes and workplaces."

"The Commission very much appreciates the commentary we received at the hearing," said CPTC Chairman Thomas A. Cheeseman. "If people continue to speak out, things will get done."

The CPTC is preparing a complete record of the proceedings of the May 19 public hearing at NorwalkCity Hall, and will be making it available to the public.

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