If you take Metro-North Railroad to work, get ready to pay more.

On Wednesday, the MTA board approved a 10% fare increase on all Connecticut lines.

Board members expressed frustration with the hike. But without it, state transportation leaders warned that rail service would be reduced.

At the South Norwalk train station, commuters already pay $17.25 for an on-peak trip to Manhattan.

And after Wednesday's vote, it's about to go up again.

"It's unfortunate. Things just keep getting more and more expensive," said Michael Halitzer, who travels from New York City to Connecticut often to visit family. "For myself and my wife, going back and forth, and being seniors, it's pretty expensive."

Frustrated MTA board members are not happy about the increase either. The Connecticut Department of Transportation requested it, but the MTA and the state of New York must sign-off too.

"This is someone else's decision. I will concede that," said board member Neal Zuckerman. "I'll support it, but I do not like it."

The new fares are being phased in.

Starting September 1, a one-way, on-peak trip from Stamford to Grand Central Station will jump from $16 to $17. On July 1, 2026, it goes up again to $17.75.

Here is how much your trip will cost:

Why are riders paying more? You can blame the new state budget, which shortchanges rail funding by $11 million. It also includes fare increases for Shoreline East and the Hartford Line.

The agency held four public hearings on the new fares.

CT DOT said that if fares don't go up, there will be fewer trains.

"These fare increases will help maintain existing rail service levels by keeping the same number of trains on the schedule for our customers," said transportation commissioner Garrett Eucalitto.

Ridership numbers are back above pre-pandemic levels and trains are now moving faster due to system upgrades. CT DOT is also rebuilding two stations along the Waterbury Branch.

Some riders said they're willing to pay extra for more frequent service.

"The more trains out there, the better people take them," said Jude Clebert, of Norwalk. "Especially if there's going to be one that happens to have a delay."

But do fares need to rise this much? According to an MTA analysis, the increase will actually bring in $38 million over the next three years.