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

Shore Line East & New Haven Lines

To Operate Holiday Schedules

Tuesday, July 3, 2007 – Enhanced Weekday Schedule

on Shore Line East and New Haven Lines

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 – Independence Holiday Schedule

on New Haven Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) today announced that Shore Line East (SLE) and New Haven Line (NHL) rail services will operate on special holiday schedules over the Independence Holiday  (July 3-July 4th).  On Tuesday, July 3, SLE will operate a regular schedule with additional trains in the early afternoon.  SLE will NOT operate on Wednesday, July 4^th in observance of Independence Day.  The regular weekday schedule will continue on Thursday, July 5, 2007.

“The state is pleased to offer additional train service on the New Haven Line and Shore Line East during this coming holiday.  Over the past year, we have experienced continued growth in ridership on the Connecticut Commuter Rail service, and we encourage the public to use mass transit over the holiday,” said Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter.

NEW HAVEN LINE

Metro-North Railroad will operate a special holiday schedule on the New Haven Line for Independence Day (July 4) holiday period.  Be sure to check a current timetable for details.

·      On Tuesday, July 3rd, there will be additional outbound “getaway” trains between 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.  Check your schedule for special train times.

·      On Wednesday, July 4, a SUNDAY schedule with extra trains to and from the Macy’s Fireworks will be in effect.

To avoid long ticket lines, purchase your round trip tickets in advance at any ticket office, from any ticket machine, or online through WebTicket. (www.mta.info)

Metro-North Railroad operates the New Haven Line and Branch Line Service for ConnDOT.  The New Haven Line is one of the busiest commuter lines in North America, carrying over 120,000 daily commuters.  Out of the 120,000 daily total commuters on the New Haven Line, over 80,000 customers start or complete their trip in Connecticut.

SHORE LINE EAST

·      Shore Line East will operate an early getaway train on Tuesday, July 3rd leaving New Haven at 2:10 p.m. and arriving in Old Saybrook at 2:55 p.m., making all regular stops between these stations.

·      An return express train leaving Old Saybrook leaving at 3:05 p.m. to New Haven will connect with New Haven Line train service on Tuesday, July 3rd.

Shore Line East trains are owned by ConnDOT and are operated under a service agreement with Amtrak to provide daily rail operations.  Shore Line East carries over 1,800 riders each weekday. SLE does not operate on Saturday, Sunday or major holidays.  Through service in the morning and evening rush hour is provided between SLE stations and Bridgeport and Stamford.  Customers can also connect at New Haven to Metro-North for service to other New Haven Line stations and to New York City.  Reduced combined Shore Line East/Metro-North monthly commuter UniRail tickets and combined bus and rail UniTickets are available.

Shore Line East riders are encouraged to sign up for e-mail service notifications at www.shorelineeast.com.