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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. More M-8 rail cars are on the way for Metro North's New Haven line. State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-136th District, announced Friday that the state Bond Commission is releasing $60.5 million in state aid for the new rail cars.
These funds will pay for 25 single M-8 rail cars, which will replace the aging M-4 and M-6 rail cars currently in use.
"For far too long Metro North riders have been forced to deal with overcrowding, delays and breakdowns," Steinberg said in a statement. "These new cars will go a long way towards making sure Fairfield County commuters are able to get to work comfortably and on time. I want to thank Gov. Malloy for his strong commitment to improving our commuter rail system."
The first of 380 new rail cars approved for the New Haven line were put into service earlier this year. There are currently 26 M-8 cars running and more are scheduled to be added monthly.
"More drivers will consider taking Metro North as more new trains are added, and that means less gridlock on I-95 and the Merritt," said Steinberg, who sits on the legislature's Transportation Committee.
As more M-8 rail cars are put into service, Steinberg noted that taxpayers won't have to pay for repairing older cars.
Steinberg is also working to stop money that's specifically set aside for transportation projects from being transferred into the state's general fund.
"Taking money away from transportation projects is bad for commuters and it's bad for taxpayers," said Steinberg. "We must address Fairfield County's deteriorating infrastructure. And the longer we wait the more it will cost us."
How comfortable are you when you ride the train?
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