CT Citizens Transportation Lobby - Media Release
CT-CTL
The Connecticut Citizens Transportation Lobby
For Immediate Release Contact Info Below
NO MORE LIP-SERVICE… SHOW US THE MONEY !
(Fairfield, CT – February 25, 2014): One week after hundreds of angry commuters spoke out about the deteriorating service on Metro-North, the Connecticut Citizens Transportation Lobby is calling on Hartford and Washington to finally do something about the problems.
“It’s time for our lawmakers to find the funding to fix our railroad, not give us lip-service,” says Connecticut Citizens Transportation Co-Chair Jill Kelly of Fairfield. “It is clear that billions of dollars in spending will be required ($3.6 billion according to the Regional Planning Association) to fix what’s wrong, so let’s get on with it!” she added.
“We are past the point of apologies, promises and 100 day plans,” added Co-Chair Carol Leighton, also of Fairfield. “Every member of the Connecticut legislature and all of our Washington delegation need to find the money for badly needed, long over-due repairs. We can no longer defer this spending.”
“We look forward to hearing the new Metro-North President, Joseph Giulietti when he testifies before the Transportation Committee on Friday February 27th. But beyond the operational changes he can bring about within Metro-North, the railroad must be appropriated the money to affect repairs on our tracks, signal system and power lines,” she added.
“Deteriorating, unreliable and unsafe operations on Metro-North are doing more than just inconveniencing commuters. They are affecting our state’s economy and hurting everyone’s property values. At our February 18th “Speakout” in Southport several real estate agents said home buyers are reluctant to move to Connecticut if the trains don’t run,” added Kelly.
Contact Info (Not for publication):
Jill Kelly 203-255-0865 jil...@aol.com
Carol Leighton 203-259-2689 candpl...@gmail.com
Jill Kelly and Carol Leighton, Co- Chairs
With Participating Members from:
Business Council of Fairfield County, Connecticut Fund for the Environment,
Commuter Action Group, Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority,
League of Women Voters, Regional PLAN Association,
Transit for Connecticut, Tri-State Transportation Campaign