CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE: October 9, 2007	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

Expanded Rail Service to Start on Shore Line East

On Monday, October 8, 2007

New Train Schedule to take effect in early October For

Shore Line East and New Haven Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced that new train schedules will take effect on the Shore Line East (SLE) and New Haven Line (NHL) over the Columbus Day Weekend.  Shore Line East rail service changes will take effect on Monday, October 8, 2007, and New Haven Line rail service will go into effect on Sunday, October 7, 2007.

For the first time, Shore Line East rail service will provide three reverse bound (from Old Saybrook to New Haven) and one early morning east bound train to Old Saybrook with a stop at Guilford station beginning on October 8.  In addition, a new midday train will be added to Shore Line East at 1:00 p.m. from New Haven to Old Saybrook to allow SLE customers who traveled in the morning to return earlier in the afternoon. This train will also provide a convenient connection to customers coming into New Haven from points west on New Haven Line and Amtrak trains. (Consult new schedule for details.)

“This first step to implement reverse and bi-directional rail service on Shore Line East is only a precursor to providing additional service to our residents in the southeastern region.  The Department will be continuing to investigate, expand and implement expanding rail service throughout the region,” said Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter.

In addition to Shore Line East changes, DOT has requested Metro-North Railroad, the operator of the New Haven and Branch Lines, to make the following service changes on the New Haven and Branch Lines to meet growing customer needs and additional ridership.  The changes will be effective, Sunday, October 7.  They include: 

• Additional off-peak weekday service on the Waterbury branch to bridge a four-hour service gap.  A new train will depart northbound from Bridgeport as well as southbound from Waterbury in late afternoon.

• Increased train service to/from State Street Station in New Haven.

• Restore the Stamford Express Shore Line East train to previous schedule in April 2007, to allow for more even 30-minute peak train service to New Haven.

• An additional stop in East Norwalk to train #1542, departing Grand Central at 4:09 p.m. will stop in East Norwalk at 5:06 p.m.

• Remove construction time adjustments on the outer New Haven for off-peak and weekend service due to concrete tie work completion.

• Expanded Holiday Shopper Special service to operate on weekends beginning November 17 through December 30.  (A special schedule will be available at that time with further details.)

“Our customers are looking for flexibility, expanded options and additional service to provide for improved public transportation.  The Department is committed to pursuing and providing that level of service.  With our operators, Amtrak and Metro-North Railroad, the Department will continue to improve schedules, expand service, and provide better equipment to meet our growing ridership,” said Carpenter.

            New schedules are available on-line.  Consult the new timetable for the Shore Line East at www.ShoreLineEast.com  or call 800 ALL-RIDE.  For the New Haven and Branch Lines call 800-METRO-INFO or at www.mta.info.

Shore Line East trains are owned and operated by DOT, under contract with Amtrak to provide daily rail operations. SLE commuter operations began in 1990, serving seven stations along the 33-mile segment of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor between New Haven and Old Saybrook. The service was extended to New London in 1996. SLE provides nearly 2,000 passenger trips each day, or more than 450,000 each year.