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The Fairfield branch office, which has been open for members since spring, is located in the Staples Plaza at 1201 King’s Highway, just off I-95 and within walking distance of the town’s Fairfield Metro train station.
“We’re delighted to be here and employ the people of Fairfield,” said Lloyd Albert, senior vice president, public/government affairs and new business development, for AAA Northeast. “We’ve had our eye on the Fairfield area for some time.”
Before the Fairfield location opened, area members had to travel a distance to the Norwalk or Milford offices, said Fran Mayko, AAA’s public affairs manager. Now they can do everything from planning a trip or cruise to accessing home, life and travel insurance to buying discounted movie tickets at the Fairfield location.
Many of the dignitaries present mentioned that members can renew their driver’s licenses at the branch, a welcome feature, given the recent long lines at many Department of Motor Vehicles locations.
“Who would rather go to the DMV than come here, for goodness sake?” said state Rep. Laura Devlin.
AAA officials will be meeting with the state DMV commissioner in a few weeks to find out whether they can add more services, such as registration renewal and license plate drop off, which would lessen the load at DMV offices and provide more convenience for AAA members, Mayko said.
Albert said AAA membership is “growing by leaps and bounds” in the Northeast region. Fairfield is one of 61 offices serving an estimated 5.2 million members, he said.
State Sen. Tony Hwang said AAA has evolved significantly since he was a child.
“I remember when I was young coming in for trip maps,” he said, holding up his AAA card. “Now we have GPS.”
Fairfield First Selectman Mike Tetreau, state Rep. Brenda Kupchick, town Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart, Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz and Police Chief Gary MacNamara were also on hand for the ribbon-cutting.
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