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

FOR RELEASE: January 31, 2014

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

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      The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced another milestone in its rail-car purchase program: 300 of the new M-8 cars have now been accepted for service on the New Haven commuter rail line.

      The state has ordered 405 of the sleek new cars made by Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. They have proven extremely popular among commuters. They are being delivered at the rate of about 10 each month, and all 405 should be delivered by the end of the year.

      The new M-8 trains now represent more than half of total weekday New Haven main line service (Monday-Friday), and about 80 percent of the service on Saturday and Sunday.

      These trains operate during peak and off-peak hours between New Haven, Stamford and Grand Central Terminal.