CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: September 4, 2013

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

Strong Ridership Growth for Expanded

Shore Line East New London Train Service

          The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that, with the inauguration of regular weekend Shore Line East (SLE) New London train service, there was strong ridership growth in June and July 2013.

      With the June 1, 2013 schedule change, SLE now operates weekend train service to and from New London for the first time. SLE operates 19 weekend and holiday trains (14 to and from New London and 5 to and from Old Saybrook). SLE trains provide convenient connections with Metro-North trains at New Haven Union Station.

      SLE operates 30 weekday trains, 12 to and from New London, and SLE weekday New London commuters can also ride six Amtrak intercity trains using their SLE multi-ride tickets. SLE continues to operate four Stamford Express weekday trains providing a one-seat ride for SLE customers to/from West Haven, Bridgeport and Stamford.

      “The Department continues to work closely with Amtrak to provide reliable and improved Shore Line East train service for Connecticut train riders.  The SLE June 1^st schedule change, inaugurating regular weekend service to and from New London, provides travel choices for the citizens of Connecticut and is an attractive alternative to traveling on Interstate 95 during congested weekend traffic periods,” said Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker.  “The new service to New London on weekends and holidays complements the expanded New London service offered each weekday.”

      “Shore Line East New London ridership for June and July 2013 showed a very strong increase.  The Department is very pleased with the first two months of expanded service.” said Transportation Deputy Commissioner Anna Barry.  “New London ridership now accounts for over 5 percent of the weekday ridership, and for the first two month of services, New London ridership accounts for 17 percent of the weekend ridership in June and 26 percent in July.  Additionally, the Shore Line East ridership by multi-ride weekday passengers has increase by 5 percent on the select Amtrak intercity trains.”

          “The Department is anticipating continued ridership growth on Shore Line East throughout 2013,” said Rail Administrator Eugene Colonese.  “The additional Shore Line East weekday and weekend trains, added in May and June of this year, have been a huge success.  The Department appreciates the support provided by Amtrak and its employees that operate the Shore Line East service on behalf of Connecticut.”

For more information on Shore Line East service, customers should consult the current train timetables in print or on-line at www.shorelineeast.com.