Rocky Hill, Glastonbury, Hadlyme Legislators, Residents Share Views On Proposed Ferry Fare Increase

If residents of ferry towns such as Rocky Hill, Glastonbury, Chester or Hadlyme had any doubts how seriously the Connecticut Department of Transportation took their plea to not increase rates, they were given a strong indication Monday night at the Rocky Hill Community Center.

While the DOT is struggling to get Metro North back online after a train collision in the Bridgeport-Fairfield area, Transportation Commissioner Jim Redeker made his way to Rocky Hill to answer questions and hear comments from residents and officials from those towns. 

Both Rocky Hill state Rep. Antonio Guerrera and Glastonbury state Rep.  Dr. Prasad Srinivasan thanked Redeker for attending the meeting in light of the mess on the train lines on the coast.

The DOT has proposed doubling the fare for a one-way ride on the ferry from $3 to $6. The fare was $2.25 in 2003 and has increased incrementally to $3 today. The proposed rate hike would go into effect in July of this year.

"Let's look at where we are," Redeker told the crowd of about 40 while showing a PowerPoint presentation. "We bring in about $100,000 each year and it costs us about $600,000 to operate the ferries. That means we fund around 25 percent. To compare, Mass Transit funds at about 50 percent and New Haven Rail funds about 75 percent of its costs.

"There are two cost drivers of the ferries, fuel and staff. The fuel is a very small part. Ninety percent of our costs are upkeep and crew to staff the ferries. We know we are never going to make this a fully funded mode of transportation but there is more to it. We understand the historical significance so we have invested in the ferries. We have bought three new engines and also have replaced the signage to show that these are historical ferries."

Rocky Hill Mayor Tim Moriarty and former Mayor Barbara Surwilo addressed the commissioner, who was accompanied by Phillip Scorrozzo and Chuck Beck. Both Moriarty and Surwilo said the Town Council, which was meeting at the same time upstairs, would unanimously reject the proposed rate increase.

Some of the commenters asked questions of the commissioner and others let their opinions be known.

"This property is known as 'The Landing' and I am wondering if we will do an archaeological screening before the building is finished," asked Rocky Hill resident Ed Chiocarello.

Beck told him that part of the process was to do a full archaeological search as well as further screening on the site. He then said all of this had already been done. 

Curt Michael of Hadlyme urged the commissioner to look at charging different rates during the week and on the weekend.

"I think you should give a break to the commuters and people who take the ferries a lot during the week," he said. "Then you might be able to raise it on the weekend to capitalize on the tourists and people who are coming to visit the ferry."

Michael also said it would be great for people to take the steam train to the ferry, then take the ferry across and visit Gillette Castle and then take the steam train back to Essex. Redeker said that the DOT is working with the Essex Steam Train on marketing and other deals. 

Dave Scampoli of South Glastonbury said he is a commuter and takes the ferry every day. He said while the increase is probably overdue, he asked the Commissioner to phase in the increase rather than mandate one large increase. He also asked that the fare be full dollar figures and not change, like $4.25.

There will be another meeting on the ferry increase in Chester on Wednesday, May 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.