March 18, 2011

REP. DILLON’S LEGISLATION EXPANDING TRANSPORTATION ACCESS APPROVED BY COMMITTEE

Representative Patricia Dillon’s (D-New Haven) legislation that would connect Union Station in New Haven to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) was included in the annual state Department of Transportation omnibus bill and passed the committee unanimously.

Rep. Dillon and Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven) worked with House Chair of the Transportation Committee, Tony Guerrera (D- Rocky Hill), to make sure the bus route was included in the final legislation.

“Improved transportation increases access to jobs. I was very excited to work with the committee leadership and Rep. Lemar to make sure this bus service moved through the legislative process,” Rep. Dillon said.

The legislation (HB 6540), the governor’s Department of Transportation bill, includes language to create a fixed bus route from the train station to the university. Currently, a van paid for by SCSU provides this service but makes no additional stops on the route.

Rep. Lemar, a member of the Transportation Committee, said, “This type of transit investment is the key to unlocking a great economic development opportunity for the businesses along the corridor.”

“This is an important economic development initiative for New Haven,” Rep. Dillon said. “We want to make sure commuters aren’t stranded at Union Station. These bus routes will get people to work and school.”
Representative Patricia Dillon is an Assistant Majority Whip of the Connecticut House of Representatives and serves on the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Higher Education committees. She is chair of the legislative subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.

Rep. Lemar represents the 96th General Assembly District and serves on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding, Planning and Development, and Transportation Committees as well as the Sub-Committee for Transportation Bonding.