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Metro-North offers discounts on monthly passes to students who commute. But what's the good of that, if the MTA makes those passes impossible to buy?
In a cost-cutting move, manned ticket windows are closing at some stations. Darien lost its window in January and New Canaan could follow soon. South Norwalk may also be on the list. There's 24-hour service online and at vending machines. But student passes can be purchased only in person. The kids, mostly prep school students, have to show the ticket agent a letter from their school. "Obviously, this is a huge inconvenience and may be a hardship for some," one parent wrote to Jim Cameron, head of the independent Connecticut Commuter Council. Cameron says the council has brought the issue to the MTA's attention.
The MTA, which held a public hearing Tuesday night on proposed service cuts on the Metro-North New Haven line, is trying to fill a $750 million shortfall. Besides closing windows, the agency intends to eliminate some weekend trains, combine others on weekdays and limit the number of cars on remaining trains.
All fair, for a straitened company. But unfair, to offer discounted tickets but slam the window on those trying to buy.
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