(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that the New Haven commuter rail line saw ridership grow during 2016 with a total of 40.5 million passenger trips during the year – surpassing last year’s total by approximately 20,000 and setting an all-time record, according to newly released data from Metro-North Railroad.  The New Haven Line remains the busiest commuter rail line in America.

“Our future economic growth depends on the vibrancy and vitality of an efficient transportation system that attracts workers and businesses and moves goods and services as efficiently as possible,” Governor Malloy said.  “For too long, our state did not make the needed investments to keep up with our transportation needs, and now we are making the long overdue steps to make our bold vision of a modernized transportation system into a reality.  The New Haven Line is a critical component of Connecticut’s economic engine, and its growing use signals the need to provide our state’s residents with a best-in-class transportation system.”

Over the last several years, the State of Connecticut made a number of investments into improving the New Haven Line, most notably putting into service 405 new, state-of-the-art M-8 rail cars, in addition to a number of other investments, such as new maintenance facilities, new bridges and new overhead power lines.  In November, Governor Malloy announced that the state is purchasing an additional 60 M-8 rail cars to add to the fleet.

“Our investments in our rail system are clearly paying off,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker said.  “Our customers consistently tell us how happy they are with the new and more efficient and reliable M-8s.”