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According to a survey recently conducted by the Connecticut Metro North-Shoreline East Rail Commuter Council, riders want expanded "bar car" service, but simple designs for the cars.

Of the more than 700 commuters who responded to the online survey, 90 percent wanted more bar car service on Metro-North and 82 percent said they use the bar cars when offered.

However, after reviewing plans for the proposed M8 bar cars from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT), riders' opinions were somewhat divided, with 80 percent saying the designs offered the “right amount” of seating. Fifty-nine percent said they approved of the proposed small booths and 49 percent said they want a counter for laptop computers.

Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell recently approved $226 million to exercise an option to purchase 80 M8 cars in addition to the 300 originally ordered. Seven of the cars would be retrofitted by CDOT as bar cars.