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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT) doesn’t plan to cut commuter-rail or bus service next year, but does intend to initiate a series of “modest” fare increases starting Jan. 1, CDOT officials said in a prepared statement.

The department “held the line” on fare increases for the past five years, but during that time, operating expenses grew by 12 percent, said CDOT Commissioner James Redeker in a prepared statement.

The department plans to hike rail and bus fares 4 percent at the beginning of each of the next three calendar years. In addition, as part of previously approved legislation to help pay for new M-8 rail cars now being put into service, rail fares would increase another 1.25 percent on Jan. 1, 2012, and an additional 1 percent on Jan. 1 every year through 2018, according to CDOT.

The department, which oversees the state’s rail and bus services, held seven public hearings over the summer to review possible fare increases, which initially were proposed to be higher.