Date: Fri 21-Mar-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Wasserman-rail-Danbury

Full Text:

Wasserman Rallies Opposition To Rail Line Closure

A public hearing was scheduled for Thursday, March 20, from 6 to 8 pm in the

Danbury Rail Museum to allow Newtown residents to express their opposition to

the proposed elimination of passenger rail service on the Metro-North Danbury

Branch.

The date and time of the public hearing by the General Assembly's

Appropriations subcommittee on transportation issues was set after publication

of last week's Bee , according to State Rep Julia B. Wasserman.

"I urge all Newtown residents who oppose this shortsighted proposal to

eliminate the Danbury Branch rail service to participate in this public

hearing and to make their views known," Rep Wasserman said. "A strong showing

of support for the Danbury Branch will help those who are working to preserve

this service to succeed."

Rep Wasserman already has met with representatives of the governor's office to

express her opposition to the budget proposal calling for replacing the

Danbury Branch trains with bus service.

"The State of Connecticut has made a significant investment in the Danbury

Branch in recent years to make the service more convenient," Rep Wasserman

said. "Rather than abandoning that investment, we should be striving to

further improve service and to increase ridership.

"The bus plan may sound good to the Department of Transportation because it

costs less, but the real bottom line is that it would increase transportation

congestion and pollution in the region and would be detrimental to the

region's economy," she said.

The Danbury Rail Museum is located at 120 White Street.