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

FOR RELEASE: August 16, 2018

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

CTDOT ANNOUNCES THAT BIKES WILL BE ALLOWED ON CTRAIL HARTFORD LINE TRAINS BEGINNING ON AUGUST 16, 2018

(HARTFORD, CT) – Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) Public Transportation Chief Richard Andreski today announced that CTrail Hartford Line trains will allow bicycles on board beginning Thursday, August 16.

“With the growing success of the Hartford Line, we are pleased to announce that we will now allow bikes on board, providing passengers with more car-free travel options.”

In response to customer requests and outreach by the bicycle advocate community, CTDOT conducted an analysis which determined that bicycles could be safely stored on board CTrail Hartford Line trains. The new policy allows customers to bring their bicycles on board any CTrail Hartford Line train.  The bicycles must be stored in accordance with crew member directions to ensure the safety of customers and train crews..

Collapsible and folding bicycles will also be permitted on any CTrail Hartford Line train, but must be folded or collapsed before boarding the train. Collapsible and folding bicycles must be stored in luggage storage areas at the end of the coach or under a seat, and are not to be stored in overhead racks.

These protocols will remain in place until bike racks are installed on all CTrail Hartford Line coaches. The bike rack installation will begin in fall 2018 and continue through early 2019, providing a permanent storage area for bicycles.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy applauded the news, saying, “My administration has prioritized enhancing intermodal transportation options, and it’s paying off. Today’s announcement will not only make the Hartford Line accessible to cyclists, it will open new roads and expand opportunities for commuters and explorers alike. CTrail has already spurred transit-oriented development in cities and towns up and down the I-91 corridor, and we are taking another important step toward making Connecticut a more attractive place to live, work, and travel.”

"Cyclists throughout Connecticut welcome the new bicycle access policy on the Hartford Line.  For those who ride to and from stations or put their bikes aboard local buses or on other rail lines, this new policy extends the range for car-free travel in Connecticut," stated Paul Hammer, past president of the Connecticut Bicycle Coalition.

“Some of the best days for cycling are still ahead this year and we look forward to welcoming customers with bicycles on board our trains,” Andreski stated.

The department is also working with Amtrak to potentially expand the program to Amtrak Hartford Line trains as well. Currently, Amtrak Hartford Line trains can accommodate collapsible bicycles only. Additional information about Amtrak’s bicycle onboard program may be found at Amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard.

The new Hartford Line features 17 daily round trips between New Haven and Hartford, with 12 of these trips continuing north, terminating at Union Station in Springfield, MA. Trains operate at speeds up to 110 MPH, with a travel time between New Haven and Springfield of approximately 81 minutes. Hartford Line service provides direct or connecting service to New York City, Boston, and Vermont.