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NEWS AND NOTICES

Updates on What's Going on at CTrail Shore Line East



The CX Action Plan Annual Progress Report


In June of 2023, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) released the first-ever Customer Experience (CX) Action Plan. The plan was developed by engaging with transit customers, public transit service providers, and other stakeholders to collect feedback and identify actions that can be taken to make transit a more pleasant, reliable, and efficient experience for everyone.

In June of 2024, CTDOT released the CX Action Plan Annual Progress Report – Year 1. The progress report provides updates about projects that impact customer experience for public transportation services statewide. The CX Action Plan Annual Progress Report – Year 1 is now available for review via this link.



Bus Substitutions on June 9


Amtrak will be performing maintenance on Sunday morning, June 9th. During this time, substitute bus service will be provided between Guilford and New London. The affected trains and details of the substitution are as follows:

  • Train 3690
    • The service will operate as a train between New Haven and Guilford, making all stops along the way. Passengers continuing beyond Guilford will transfer to a bus at the Guilford station. This bus will serve all remaining stops between Guilford and New London.
  • Train 3613 (Update)
    • The service will operate as a bus between New London and New Haven Union Station, stopping at Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, and Madison. After stopping at Madison, the bus will head straight to New Haven Union Station.
    • Customers boarding at Guilford, Branford, and New Haven State Street, regular train service on Train 3613 will remain available.

All other services will remain the same. Visit ShoreLineEast.com/Schedules/ for a copy of our schedule.

Remember to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date travel information. Preferences may need to be updated after each schedule change.



Memorial Day Schedule Update


In observance of Memorial Day, CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule on Monday, May 27, 2024.  

Please note that if you are traveling beyond New Haven, you should check with your connecting operator, as they may also have a modified holiday schedule.

Remember to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date travel information. Preferences may need to be updated after each schedule change.



Metro-North Service Adjustment Begining April 7


There will be minor adjustments to some Metro-North connections beginning April 7.

Please note that CTrail Shore Line East trains will remain unchanged. The only changes will be to some Metro-North trains and the cross-honor Amtrak 86.

Visit ShoreLineEast.com/Schedules to view the current schedule.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.



How Are We Doing?


From April 1 through April 19, we’re inviting riders to participate in an online survey to capture insights and feedback regarding their experiences riding the CTrail Hartford Line. As a valued customer, we would like your feedback to help us better understand your expectations and how we can improve our service.

Please share your thoughts on what we’re doing well and how to improve here: CTrail.com/slesurvey

Thank you in advance for your continued support and involvement in shaping the journey ahead!



Winter Storm Advisory


A winter storm is forecasted for our service area on Tuesday, February 13. We are closely monitoring the situation and have pre-positioned crews and equipment to respond as necessary. CTrail Shore Line East will continue to operate on our regular schedule as weather conditions allow.

We encourage customers to take the following precautions:

  • Monitor our website or service alerts for updates.
  • Allow extra travel time due to the potential weather conditions.
  • Exercise caution when on platforms, staircases, and when entering or exiting trains, as surfaces may be slippery.

Additionally, if you have bus or rail connections, we recommend checking with those service providers before traveling to ensure they are operating as scheduled.

Your safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and understanding during this time.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.



Presidents Day Schedule


In observance of Presidents Day, CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule on Monday, February 19, 2024.  

Be sure to check with your connecting operator for travel beyond New Haven, as they may also have a modified holiday schedule.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.



Martin Luther King Jr. Day Schedule Update


We would like to inform you that in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule on Monday, January 15, 2024.

For travel beyond New Haven, please check with your connecting operator, as they may also have a modified holiday schedule.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.



Winter Storm Advisory


A winter storm watch is in effect for portions of our service area from Saturday night into Sunday, with snow and gusting winds. We are monitoring the situation, and CTrail Shore Line East will continue to run.

Be careful getting on and off trains, on platforms, and on staircases, as surfaces could be slippery.

Passengers with bus and rail connections should check with their service providers before traveling.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.



Holiday Schedules Update


During the upcoming holiday period, we will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule for the following dates:

  • Monday, December 25, 2023 
  • Monday, January 1, 2024 

For travel beyond New Haven, please check with your connecting operator, as they may also have a modified holiday schedule.

Click here for CTrail Hartford Line schedule information.

Click here for New Haven Line (Metro-North) schedule information.

Click here for Amtrak Northeast Corridor schedule information.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season!

 



Temporary Track Assignment Changes Dec. 9 – 10


Due to Amtrak’s ongoing construction, there will be temporary track assignment changes for some Shore Line East trains. These changes will happen over the weekends of December 9-10 and again on December 16-17.

Please note that train times will remain unchanged. The only changes will be to the track assignments at Clinton and Westbrook.

Visit ShoreLineEast.com/Schedules to view the new track assignments on the downloadable PDF schedule.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels. Preferences may need updating after each schedule change.

 



New Schedule Begins December 18


In response to your valuable feedback, starting December 18th, we are adjusting the Shore Line East schedule to enhance its alignment with your travel needs.

A few notable highlights of the new schedule include the addition of several new trains:

Weekday

  • Train 1645 – arriving at New Haven Union Station at 8:30 a.m. 
  • Train 1638 – departing New Haven Union Station at 5:35 p.m.

Weekend 

  • Train 3610 – departing New Haven Union Station at 10:45 a.m.
  • Train 3637 – arriving at New Haven Union Station at 1:25 p.m.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels.



Updated Track Assignments begin December 11


Due to Amtrak’s ongoing construction, temporary track assignment changes will be in effect for some Shore Line East trains from Monday, December 11, through Friday, December 15. 

Please note that all train times will remain the same, but trains 1673, 1685, 1697, and 1699 will have revised track assignments.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels.



Temporary Track Assignment Changes 11/28 – 12/11


Due to Amtrak’s ongoing construction, there will be temporary track assignment changes for some Shore Line East trains. These changes will begin on Tuesday, November 28, and extend through Monday, December 11.

Please note that train times will remain unchanged. The only changes will be to the track assignments at Clinton and Westbrook.

Click here to view the new track assignments on the downloadable PDF schedule.



Thanksgiving Schedule Update


On Thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving Day, Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule. 

If you are traveling beyond New Haven, we recommend you check with the connecting transportation operators for their schedule information. 

Visit shorelineeast.com/schedules for schedule details.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels.



Temporary Track Assignment Changes


Due to Amtrak’s ongoing construction, there will be temporary track assignment changes for some Shore Line East trains. These changes will begin on Wednesday, November 15, and extend through Monday, November 27. 

Please note that train times will remain unchanged. The only changes will be to the track assignments.

Visit ShoreLineEast.com/Schedule to view the new track assignments on the downloadable PDF schedule.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels.



Fare Increases Begin November 1


A fare increase will take effect on November 1, 2023. This decision was made due to the rising costs and reduced ridership that have impacted the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and its service providers.

We understand that fare increases are never welcome news, but we want to assure you they are necessary to maintain a safe and reliable transportation system. The new fares that will come into effect are as follows:

  • One-way fares increase $0.25 to $0.50
  • 10-trip ticket fares increase $2.00 to $4.00
  • Monthly ticket fares increase $5.25 to $10.50

We are grateful to everyone who provided feedback during the SAFE analysis’ official public comment period, which closed on October 6, 2023.

The new fares can be viewed at ShoreLineEast.com/Fares.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date information for your travels.



ATTENTION: New Track Assignments Begin October 19th


Due to Amtrak’s ongoing construction, there will be temporary track assignment changes for some Shore Line East trains.

  • There will be several temporary one-day track changes on Thursday, October 19.
  • Additional track assignment changes happen on Friday, October 20, which will be in place until the project is completed.

Train crews will announce the changes on Tuesday and Wednesday before the changes take effect. Please note that no train times will change – only track assignments.

Be sure to visit ShoreLineEast.com for schedule and boarding information before your trip.

We thank you for your cooperation during this time.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you receive the most up-to-date information for your travels.

 



Columbus Day Weekend Schedule


CTrail Shore Line East will operate its regular schedules during the Columbus Day weekend, October 7-9, 2023. No special adjustments will be made.

The full schedule can be viewed here.

Don’t forget to review your preferences on our alerts page to ensure you are receiving the most up-to-date information for your travels.



Public Hearings on Proposed Fare and Service Changes for Bus and Rail


The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced a series of four public hearings to gather input on the proposed rail and bus service changes, as well as proposed rail fare increases. The biennial state budget adopted earlier this year included a funding increase for CTtransit bus service in Connecticut and a funding reduction for Metro-North Railroad (MNR) and CTrail Shore Line East (SLE) passenger rail service to align with current commuting habits more closely.

Proposed bus service changes include:

  • One proposed new route in the CTtransit Hartford Division.
  • Two proposed new routes in the CTtransit New Haven Division and proposed improvements to service frequencies on two CTfastrak routes.
  • Additional changes were proposed to eight routes in the CTtransit Hartford Division to better align with ridership demand and promote efficiency, such as decreased service frequency, route restructuring, and route elimination with replacement service.

The state budget included significant investments for additional bus service improvements across the state, such as new Sunday service in Meriden. Those changes do not meet the threshold for a service equity analysis and thus not included.

Proposed rail service changes include:

  • Decreased Monday through Thursday service on the New Haven Line from 239 trains to 237 trains.
  • Decreased Friday service on the New Haven Line from 241 trains to 233 trains.
  • Decreased weekday service on the New Canaan Line from 41 trains to 39 trains.
  • Decreased weekday service on the Danbury Line from 28 trains to 26 trains.

The proposed schedule changes for Shore Line East would not take effect until after the Amtrak Fitter Interlocking Project is completed, and it differs from the construction schedule that took effect on September 5, 2023.

  • Decreased weekday service on Shore Line East from 23 trains to 16 trains.
  • Proposed Shore Line East Train 1640 will depart at 5:45 p.m. eastbound from New Haven, eliminating a three-hour gap.

Proposed rail fare changes include:

  • An increase for Metro-North fares in Connecticut, Shore Line East fares, and Hartford Line fares, excluding monthly school passes. Metro-North fares in Connecticut have not increased since January 2018, while Shore Line East fares have not increased since 2016. Hartford Line fares have not been adjusted since the launch of the service.

Full details on the proposed service and fare changes are available at ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.

“Commuting habits continue evolving following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these proposed changes reflect this ‘new normal’ by prioritizing morning and evening peak train service and introducing bus service changes to meet a new demand,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Bureau Chief of Public Transportation Benjamin Limmer. “I encourage members of the public to attend one of the hearings and offer their comments and feedback on these proposals. Public input is critically important and helps ensure we deliver a safe, accessible public transportation system in Connecticut.”

At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare proposals and the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis. The SAFE analysis evaluates the proposed changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact on people of color or a disproportionate burden to people with low incomes.

The public hearings will be conducted in person in Hartford and New Haven and virtually online via Zoom. The in-person hearings include an open house during which staff will be available for questions and answers. The public hearing will begin after the open house.

DATE LOCATION TIME
Monday, October 2, 2023

 

Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records

200 Orange St., New Haven, CT 06510

5:00-6:00 p.m. (open house)

6:00-8:00 p.m. (public hearing)

Tuesday, October 3, 2023 Capitol Region Council of Governments

3rd Floor Board Room

241 Main St., Hartford, CT 06106

5:00-6:00 p.m. (open house)

6:00-8:00 p.m. (public hearing)

 

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

 

Virtually via Zoom

Webinar ID: 819 3851 5237

Passcode: 026281

11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023

 

Virtually via Zoom

Webinar ID: 819 3851 5237

Passcode: 194387

6:00-8:00 p.m.

The complete proposed service and fare changes are available at ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges. The public comment period is open from today, Monday, September 18, through Friday, October 6, 2023. The virtual meetings will be recorded and saved on the CTDOT YouTube Channel at youtube.com/@ctdotofficial.

Registration is encouraged for the virtual public hearings; however, it is only required for those who would like to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860) 594-3612 and leave a voicemail with your full name and contact information. Registration will be accepted up to the day of the hearing and will remain open for the duration of the hearings.

Individuals with limited internet access can listen to the meeting by calling (833) 548-0282 and entering the Webinar ID. Persons with hearing or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Persons with limited internet access may also request that project information be mailed to them within one week by contacting (860) 594-3612 or dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT Language Assistance Call Line at (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the meeting. Language assistance is provided at no cost to the public, and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance. Closed captioning, including in non-English language, will be available on Zoom.

For more information on the proposed changes and how to attend the public hearings, provide comments, and access the SAFE analysis document, please visit ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.

CTDOT encourages all members of the public to participate in one or more of the scheduled public hearings and submit comments. Members of the public may submit comments by emailing dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or by calling (860) 597-8226. Written comments may also be submitted to:

COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Bureau of Public Transportation

P.O. Box 317546

Newington, CT 06131-7546

CTDOT will consider all comments received during the public hearing and public comment process when approving the final service and fare proposal(s).