Proposed Train Rate Hike & Minimum Wage Going Up Soon

September 22, 2023


Taking the train may soon cost more. You have an opportunity to weigh in on proposed rate hikes and schedule changes for Metro-North rail service. Please read below to learn more.

The minimum wage is going up in the new year. Keep scrolling to see how much the rate is going up on January 1, 2024.

You can click on any of these links to jump to that section of the email:
 

Proposed Fare & Service Changes for Bus & Rail
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will host four public hearings to gather input on the proposed rail and bus service changes, as well as proposed rail fare increases.
 
The biennial state budget adopted earlier this year included a funding increase for CTtransit bus service in Connecticut and a funding reduction for Metro-North Railroad (MNR) and CTrail Shore Line East (SLE) passenger rail service, to align with current commuting habits more closely.
 
There is a proposed increase for Metro-North fares in Connecticut, Shore Line East fares, and Hartford Line fares, excluding monthly school passes.
Click Here To See Proposed Bus & Rail Service and Fare Changes
At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare proposals and the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis. The SAFE analysis evaluates the proposed changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact on people of color or a disproportionate burden to people with low incomes.
The virtual meetings will be recorded and saved on the CTDOT YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@ctdotofficial.
 
Registration is encouraged for the virtual public hearings; however, it is only required for those who would like to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860) 594-3612 and leave a voicemail with your full name and contact information. Registration will be accepted up to the day of the hearing and will remain open for the duration of the hearings.
 
Minimum Wage Increase On the Way

New year, new wage! The state's minimum wage of $15 will increase to $15.69 on January 1, 2024, as part of Connecticut’s first-ever economic indicator adjustment.

The increase was made possible thanks legislation passed to in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage between 2019 and 2023, followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Beginning on January 1, 2024, and occurring annually each January 1, the state's minimum wage will be adjusted according to the U.S. Department of Labor's calculation of the employment cost index from the 12-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year. The law requires the Connecticut Department of Labor to review this percentage change and then announce any adjustments by October 15 of each year. The minimum wage adjustments become effective on the next January 1.
Providing livable wages to the lowest-earning workers is a step in the right direction to help them make ends meet and provide for their families. This increase not only assists hard-working Connecticut families, but it can spur local economies by putting more money in people's pockets, which drives up spending power and makes it easier to pay household bills. Approximately 60% of minimum-wage earners in Connecticut are women, according to the Current Population Survey, calculated by the US. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 
No one should be forced to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I stand in strong support of this pay adjustment and the workers who will benefit from it.
 

Germany Youth Exchange Applications Due

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) program is currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 year. The CBYX program is a fully funded scholarship from the U.S. Department of State and German Bundestag for 250 American high school students to spend an academic year in Germany.

No previous German language experience is needed to apply.

Interested applicants can visit the CBYX website (www.usagermanyscholarship.org) to learn more, explore stories from current and past participants, and begin the application process. Applications are due by 2:59 A.M. on November 2.