Loss of Train Station Ticket Agent Prompts Letter from Parking Authority

Editor's note: The following letter was received from Mary Kay Frost, vice chairman of Fairfield's Parking Authority, which oversees the Fairfield Railroad Station and Southport Railroad Station, about the state Department of Transportation's decision last week to eliminate the ticket agent position at the Fairfield Railroad Station.

The Fairfield Parking Authority is extremely disappointed with the decision of the Connecticut DOT to eliminate the ticket agent position at the Fairfield Center station, effective July 7, 2010.  It is surprising to us that the CT DOT would eliminate the ticket agent at the second busiest station on the New Haven line without input from commuters or the town.  We believe this action will negatively affect the rail ticketing processes for both commuters and occasional users of the station.

The Parking Authority was not forewarned of the impending position elimination and we were given no opportunity to share our concerns with the DOT prior to the decision.  When we did learn of it, we quickly registered a complaint and asked for reinstatement of the position.  In response, CT DOT advised us that the closure was part of a cost reduction program to close all ticket offices on the New Haven line except Bridgeport, Stamford and New Haven.

Ticketing at the Fairfield Center station will now rely solely on the use of the electronic ticketing machines installed on the station platforms - three on the New York-bound side and one on the New Haven-bound side.  Metro-North has advised us of their intentions to monitor these units on a daily basis and take actions as necessary to optimize their usage.

Recognizing that the lack of a ticket agent will be an inconvenience for many of our customers, we would like to make the following suggestions.  If possible, try to purchase your tickets in advance online before you come to the station at http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/fares.htm#a1. If you expect to purchase tickets at the station, please allot extra time. The ticketing machines cannot currently accept transit checks nor can they provide discounted student tickets.  Please be aware that there is a $5 "penalty" for buying tickets on the train and conductors cannot accept credit cards - only cash.

Users of the Fairfield Center station who are unhappy with the loss of the ticket agent should contact their local state representatives to express their feelings.

The Fairfield Parking Authority will continue to work with the Town, CT DOT and local officials in an ongoing effort to meet commuter expectations and to enhance the overall quality of our parking, station house and platform facilities at both the Fairfield Center and Southport stations.

Sincerely,

Fairfield Parking Authority

Robert Torok, Chairman
Mary Kay Frost, Vice Chairman
Joanne Sheehan, Member
Robert Comers, Member