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

FOR RELEASE: August 19, 2013

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

Governor Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Wyman Cut Ribbon

For New RR Station in West Haven

                Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman joined U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and other state, railroad and local officials today for the cutting of the ribbon to open the gleaming new $103 million West Haven station on the busy New Haven commuter rail line. The facility is packed with modern amenities, self-pay parking and ticket machines, a pedestrian overpass, bicycle racks and 650 new parking spaces.

                Each side of the station – southbound toward New York City and northbound toward New Haven – will have covered waiting areas with 1,100-foot platforms capable of accommodating 12-car trains. Some 83 trains will arrive and depart West Haven on weekdays; 56 on weekends.

                “We have been investing, and continue to invest, hundreds of millions of dollars in upgrading the New Haven Line, which, with passenger trips at about 39 million a year, is the busiest in North America,” said Governor Malloy. “Adding stations and more parking will help ease the stress of the daily commute while providing comfort and convenience to our millions of customers. In addition, this particular project created or sustained more than one-thousand jobs.”

                West Haven is the first new station to open on the New Haven Line since 2011 when the Fairfield Metro Station opened. The West Haven project also includes upgrades to a five-mile section of track, overhead catenary power lines and signals. The line is operated by Metro-North Railroad under contract to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT).

                Service began Sunday (Aug. 18) at the new station and full weekday service began today (Aug. 19). The station has been built in compliance with federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and features convenient platform access, restrooms, elevators, energy efficient lighting and building systems, interior and exterior seating and benches, as well as an electronic public information kiosk, closed-circuit security cameras and state-of the art public address and train status displays for enhanced customer communications.  Also planned are food and beverage concessions and vending and community based artwork.

                “Metro-North is delighted to inaugurate train service to Connecticut’s newest station on one of the fastest growing segments of the railroad, the outer New Haven Line,” said Metro-North President Howard Permut.  “We are grateful for the continued infrastructure investments made by our partners at the Connecticut Department of Transportation and trust that this beautiful new station will attract customers and promote business here in the city and across the region.”

                “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is proud to be the provider of the high quality train service that Connecticutters have come to expect from Metro-North Railroad,” said MTA Chairman & CEO Thomas F. Prendergast.  “This new station joins Fairfield Metro and State Street before it as testament to the commitment of the State of Connecticut to improve mass transit for its citizens.  I congratulate you, Governor Malloy.”

               Connecticut DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said the new station “underscores our commitment to continuous improvement in customer service, satisfaction and communication on the New Haven Line.”

               “Today is the beginning of a new era in transportation for our city and the hundreds of commuters who rely on the New Haven Line every day,” West Haven Mayor John M. Picard said. “I would like to thank Governor Malloy, the Department of Transportation and the many local supporters who circulated petitions for a West Haven train station, including Mike Mercuriano. This is a project we can all be proud of, and one that will serve West Haven and the state of Connecticut for years to come.”

               Today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony also included a moment of remembrance for Metro-North employee Robert Luden, who was struck and killed by a train while working on the tracks at the new station on May 28, 2013.

               One-way fares from West Haven to New York City (Grand Central Terminal) will be $20.50 during peak hours; $15.50 off-peak; and $10.25 for seniors.

Parking at West Haven Station will be free through September 2. Like all New Haven Line stations, parking is free on weekends and holidays. West Haven station parking permits, which are effective September 1 through February 28, 2014, are available for purchase from CTrides at 877-CT-RIDES (877-287-4337), by email at info@ctrides.com, or through the online live chat at www.ctrides.com. Parking will be $6 daily and $300 for a six-month permit beginning in September.  

                The new schedule is now available in Grand Central Terminal and online at www.mta.info.

                The West Haven station was designed by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., and constructed by Manafort Brothers of Plainville, Connecticut. Ground was broken for the new station on November 10, 2010.