CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: October 21, 2013

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

CTDOT, AMTRAK ANNOUNCE COST-SHARE AGREEMENT

Deal Includes Program to Measure Performance

      Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker and Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman today announced the completion of a cost sharing agreement to fund Amtrak’s New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Line, as required by Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). PRIIA Section 209 calls for states to share the costs of Amtrak routes of less than 750 miles. The agreement signals the start of a new partnership between Connecticut and Amtrak, with the shared goal of improving all aspects of train service for NHHS riders.

      “With this agreement, we are working with Amtrak to ensure that train riders continue to have reliable, efficient, and affordable train service on this critical rail corridor,” said Commissioner Redeker. “This agreement represents a significant state investment in rail service, which thousands of travelers and businesses rely on each day. I thank Amtrak and the states of Massachusetts and Vermont for their commitment to this effort.”

      Under the agreement, Connecticut in partnership with the States of Massachusetts and Vermont share in the costs of Amtrak train service between New Haven and Springfield, Massachusetts, and the Vermonter service between New Haven and St. Albans, Vermont.  Connecticut will pay approximately $4.4 million as its share in state fiscal year 2014 to cover operating and equipment capital costs associated with the NHHS Line train services. The Amtrak trains also provide service to station stops at Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.

      “Today’s announcement underscores the importance of Amtrak service to our partners in Connecticut, and we are pleased these vital services will continue to help the communities grow and prosper,” said Amtrak President and CEO, Joe Boardman. “The Connecticut-supported services, which connect throughout New England and across the Amtrak national system, provide mobility, connectivity, economic development and jobs to the state."

      The state funding will pay for operating costs associated with the line, including fuel and labor costs, offset by passenger ticket revenues. The funds will also cover costs for the repair and maintenance of Amtrak’s equipment. This agreement also requires Connecticut and Amtrak to establish performance measures for the state-supported Amtrak rail services.  The program will measure several different criteria including: 1) On-time performance of trains 2) Cleanliness of the trains and Amtrak-operated facilities and 3) Customer service delivered by the train crews.

      Amtrak and Connecticut will develop metrics for the performance program over the next 90 days, which will include incentives for meeting and exceeding the agreed-upon standards. The first year of the program will be used to create baseline metrics for future years.