VIDEO: SEAT Wants to Raise Fares

Southeast Area Transit, SEAT, says the weak economy means its prices need to go up.

Local fares would increase by 25 cents. Seniors and passengers with disabilities would pay an extra 15 cents and para-transit fares would double, according to Ella Bowman, executive director of SEAT.

"It's necessary because of budgetary constraints," she said recently. "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 proposed fare inceases are 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.

Public hearings are scheduled for:

• 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today, 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.