The Connecticut Department of Transportation will hold a series of hearings around the state seeking public to comment on proposed bus and rail fare increases and changes to the tariffs for bus services to allow for the implementation of a new account-based smart card fare payment system.

The proposed increase would take effect Dec. 1 on the New Haven commuter rail line and Shore Line East; the proposed increase would take effect on Dec. 4 on CTtransit and CTfastrak buses.

Comments may be sent to the DOT at dot.farecomments@ct.gov or through the DOT’s website,ct.gov/dot.

Comments may also be mailed to:

Comment on Fare Changes

Bureau of Public Transportation

2800 Berlin Turnpike

P.O. Box 317546

Newington, CT 06131-7546

The comment period closes September 15.

A hearing will be held in Stamford on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 4-6 p.m. and 7- p.m. in the Campus Auditorium at the University of Connecticut Stamford, One University Place, Stamford.

Public hearings will be held in five other communities:

Old Saybrook

Thursday, Sept. 1, 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., at  Old Saybrook Town Hall, 302 Main St., Old Saybrook;

Hartford

Wednesday, Sept. 7, 4-7 p.m., Hartford Public Library, 500 Main St., Hartford;

Meriden

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Meriden City Hall, Council Chambers, 142 East Main St., Meriden;

Waterbury

Tuesday, Sept. 13, 4-7 p.m., Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand St., Waterbury

New Haven

Thursday, Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., New Haven Hall of Records, Room G-2, 200 Orange St., New Haven.