VIDEO: SEAT Proposes Bus Fare Increases

Bus stops are spotted with announcements of the three scheduled public hearings regarding Southeast Area Transit's proposed bus fare increases.

Local bus fare will increase by 25 cents, seniors and disabled passengers will pay an extra 15 cents and para-transit fares will double, according to Ella Bowman, the executive director of SEAT.

"It's necessary because of budgetary constraints," she said. "Expenses are running ahead of revenue, the state has cut our funding and the towns are not able to make up that difference.

Bowman said the fare inceases were just a a part of the balancing plan for the budget and that service cuts were made earlier this year.

"We hope we don't have to make any other cuts at this point," she said.

The increase would take effect on March 1, 2012.

Public hearings are scheduled for:

• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 in the community room of the Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington St.
• 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28 in the community room of Otis Library in Norwich, 261 Main St.
• 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 in Meeting Room 1 of the Groton Public Library, 52 Newtown Road.

Fares for bus service were last raised in July 2006, according to a press release.