NEWS AND NOTICES

Reminder to all passengers: masks are still required on all public transportation services and in stations until further notice.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order on January 29, 2021 requiring the wearing of masks by travelers to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

People must wear masks that cover both the mouth and nose when waiting on, boarding, traveling on, or disembarking public transportation. People must also wear masks when entering or on the premises of a transportation hub in the United States.

Read more on the CDC order here.

Read more on CT Governor Lamont’s face covering guidelines here.

We are taking preventive measures to keep you safe during COVID-19. To read more about the precautions taken, and what you can do to help, visit the Safety First section on our website.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up-to-date travel information.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced four public hearings to gather input on rail service and fare changes that were previously made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the temporary suspension of peak rail fares and the proposed elimination of the Mail & Ride fare program. The hearings will also cover proposed service changes to CTtransit bus service and minor fare changes on two CTtransit Express bus routes.

Service changes to trains on the New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, Waterbury Line, Shore Line East, and Hartford Line were previously implemented due to sudden and significant declines in ridership. Proposed bus changes include service changes to CTtransit Express bus service in the greater Hartford area and expansion of CTtransit New Haven area service; and minor fare changes for CTtransit Express routes 950 and 912.

At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare changes and the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis. The SAFE analysis evaluates the changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact to minority persons or a disproportionate burden to people with low incomes. The service and fare changes, many of which have already been implemented, may be viewed on CTDOT’s website.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be conducted virtually using the Zoom online platform and a toll-free conference call feature. All public hearings will be recorded and published online for later viewing. The public hearings will also be live streamed using Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube. The following is the schedule of hearings:

• Tuesday, May 18, 2021 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 19, 2021 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Thursday, May 20, 2021 (Noon) 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 25, 2021 (Noon) 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Registration is encouraged; however, it is only required for those would wish to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860) 597-8226 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 hearing.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the Department of Transportation at (860) 594-2109 at least 5 business days prior to the hearing. Persons having a hearing and/or speech disability may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). Language assistance is provided at no cost and efforts will be made to respond to timely requests for assistance.

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

The public comment period for the proposed service and fare changes and the SAFE analysis will run from April 29 to May 28, 2021. CTDOT encourages all members of the public to participate in one or more of the scheduled public hearings and/or submit written comments by mail to COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Connecticut Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546; by email at dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or by calling (860) 597-8226. CTDOT will review and consider all comments received during the public comment period and take those comments into consideration when approving the final service and fare proposal.

For general questions please email us dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or call (860) 597-8226.

Train 3631 will have a schedule adjustment effective Monday, April 5, 2021. Adjusted departure times are as follows:

• New London: 10:00 AM
• Old Saybrook: 10:33 AM
• Westbrook: 10:38 AM
• Clinton: 10:43 AM
• Madison:10:48 AM
• Guilford: 10:55 AM
• Branford: 11:09 AM
• New Haven – State St.: 11:21 AM
• New Haven – Union Station: 11:25 AM

Train 3631 may be held at Guilford Station for up to 5 minutes to allow a scheduled Amtrak train to pass.

Passengers can view the updated schedule here and COVID-19 travel requirements here.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

The New London station building will be closing at 8:30 pm on Sunday, March 14 and Monday, March 15. Tickets can still be purchased with the CTrail eTix app or on board the train with cash only.

Normal hours for the station building will resume on Tuesday, March 16.

All passengers will still have access to station platforms for boarding and departing trains.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

6/29/2021: The elevator on Track 4 at the Guilford Station has been repaired.

3/4/2021: The elevator on Track 4 at the Guilford Station is currently out of service for repairs.

Sign up for service alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page to be notified when the elevator is back in service, and future service alerts.

The New London station ticketing window will be closing at 8:30 pm daily through Wednesday, March 3. Tickets can still be purchased with the CTrail eTix app or on board the train with cash only.

Normal hours for the station ticketing window will resume on Thursday, March 4.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from Thursday, February 18 into Friday, February 19. Customers are advised to use caution when traveling. Service disruptions may occur during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Customers should monitor our website for service updates prior to travel.

We advise customers to stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

Amtrak will be performing track maintenance on Saturday, February 27. All trains will stop on Track 1 at Guilford Station. Normal boarding assignments will resume once track work is complete. Please monitor our website and station announcements for updates.

Delays of up to 10 minutes can be expected on eastbound trains going towards New London.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

A winter storm warning was issued for Sunday, February 7th. Customers are advised to use caution when traveling. Service disruptions may occur during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Customers should monitor our website for service updates prior to travel.

We advise customers to stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

In observance of Presidents’ Day, CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule on Monday, February 15.

We are taking preventive measures to keep you safe during COVID-19. To read more about the precautions taken, and what you can do to help, visit the Safety First section.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

Due to the deteriorating conditions from the winter storm, Metro-North suspended service earlier this afternoon, Monday, February 1, 2021.

• The last train from Grand Central Terminal – New Haven Union Station will be train # 6538 (leaving GCT at 3:02 pm and arriving at New Haven at 5:17 pm)
• The last train from New Haven Union Station – Grand Central Terminal will be train # 6541 (leaving NH at 2:39 pm and arriving at GCT at 4:50 pm)

Passengers can find the most up to date information on Metro-North service at mta.info.

While CTrail Shore Line East is still operating, customers are advised to avoid travel for the duration of the storm. We anticipate service disruptions that may include delays or cancellations during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

If travel cannot be avoided, stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time. We advise customers to continue monitoring our website for service updates.

A winter storm watch has been issued for the entire state. Starting on Monday, February 1, customers are advised to avoid travel for the duration of the storm. We anticipate service disruptions that may include delays or cancellations during and in the immediate aftermath of the storm.

If travel cannot be avoided, stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time. We advise customers to continue monitoring our website for service updates.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

Due to the expected high-winds from the impending storm, service disruptions of delays or cancellations may occur. We advise passengers to monitor our website for service updates, stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

Season’s Greetings CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on the following schedules during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period:

• Thursday, December 24th, 2020
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a regular Weekday schedule
• Friday, December 25th, 2020
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule
• Saturday, December 26th, 2020
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule
• Thursday, December 31st, 2020
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule
• Friday, January 1st, 2021
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule
• Saturday, January 2nd, 2021
  • All CTrail Shore Line East trains will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule

We are taking preventive measures to keep you safe during COVID-19. To read more about the precautions taken, and what you can do to help, visit the Safety First section on our website.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

We wish you a happy and safe holiday season!

12/17/20 – 5:30 am

We’re continuing to monitor the effects of the snowstorm, and while our trains are currently operating today, we still advise that customers avoid travel if possible, for the duration of the storm. Service disruptions such as delays and cancellations are expected.

If travel cannot be avoided, we advise customers to monitor our website for service updates, stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time.

12/16/20

Due to the impending storm, a winter weather advisory is in effect. Customers are advised to avoid travel if possible, for the duration of the storm. We anticipate significant service disruptions that may include delays or cancellations.

If travel cannot be avoided, we advise customers to monitor our website for service updates, stay clear of the platform edges, use extra caution when boarding/exiting trains, and allow extra travel time.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is continuing its safety measures on all of its public transportation services.

The safety of our customers and operating personnel is of the highest importance. CTDOT’s safety measures are continually updated based on the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and federal health agencies and experts. These actions, which began in March, are being conducted for all CTrail Hartford Line, CTrail Shore Line East, and New Haven Line (Metro-North) commuter rail services, as well as for all CTtransit and local transit district bus services throughout the state.

Safety measures include:

• Nightly sanitizing of all trains and buses including an interior wipe down of high contact surfaces using enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols recommended by the CDC.
• Increased cleaning of stations using CDC-recommended cleaning products and methods.
• Disinfecting high contact areas such as door handles, escalator handrails, and elevator buttons multiple times each day at our busiest train stations.
• Requiring masks and temperature checks at the start of each shift for front line CTDOT and CTrail employees.
• Providing employees with enhanced health and safety training and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Providing masks to on-board train crew, to provide to passengers if needed.
• Hand sanitizer dispensers at all stations.
• Placing personal protective equipment (PPE) in vending machines at major stations available for public purchase.
• Conducting daily health and safety meetings with rail personnel and internal stakeholders to review current procedures and adjust as needed.
• Contactless ticket purchasing options.
• Installation of floor markings at major stations to assist with social distancing.

In addition to the safety measures above, riders are reminded of the COVID-19 travel advisories below:

• Customers should wear a mask or face covering on all trains, stations, and platforms, unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from doing so. Children under two do not require a mask. Please be aware that Amtrak requires the use of face masks.
• Practice social distancing while waiting at rail stations and riding trains. The CDC recommends a distance of at least six feet from others.
• Purchase tickets prior to boarding using a ticket vending machine or the CTrail eTix app for CTrail Hartford Line, CTrail Shore Line East, and connecting New Haven Line (Metro-North) trains.
• Customers who feel sick should not use public transportation.

For the latest information, resources, and guidance related to COVID-19, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

CTrail Shore Line East wishes you a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

In anticipation of increased travel over the Thanksgiving Holiday period, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has announced additional train cars on CTrail Shore Line East and CTrail Hartford Line trains.

CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule for Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2020, and Friday, November 27, 2020.

“While many families may be changing their traditional Thanksgiving plans this year because of the pandemic, we want those who will be traveling this holiday to know that their health and safety is our top priority,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “We are taking every precaution possible to keep you safe.”

CTDOT has increased the cleaning of trains and station facilities to keep frontline employees and passengers safe. Passengers must wear a mask or face covering and practice social distancing at stations and onboard trains. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends six feet from others, when possible. Seating onboard Amtrak and CTrail trains is limited to 50% capacity. These preventative measures will help maintain a safe and healthy travel experience. If you are feeling sick, please do not use public transportation. Passengers can view the schedule and COVID-19 travel requirements on ShoreLineEast.com.

Traveling early in the day is recommended on CTrail Shore Line East trains.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

View the official CTDOT press release here.

A new CTrail Shore Line East schedule will take effect on Monday, November 9th, 2020.

The following CTrail Shore Line East train will have new departure/arrival times effective Monday, November 9th, 2020:

Weekday:

• CTrail 3037 Departing Old Saybrook at 12:33 PM
  • Will replace 3637 on weekdays
  • Will board on Track 4 at Guilford
  • Will board on Track 2 at Branford
• CTrail 3645 Departing New London at 2:15 PM
• CTrail 3610 Departing New Haven at 10:25 AM
• CTrail 3618 Departing New Haven at 12:24 PM

Weekend:

• CTrail 3629 Departing New London at 10:22 AM
• CTrail 3645 Departing New London at 2:15 PM
• CTrail 3655 Departing Old Saybrook at 5:45 PM
• CTrail 3610 Departing New Haven at 10:25 AM
• CTrail 3618 Departing New Haven at 12:24 PM
• CTrail 3638 Departing New Haven at 5:30 PM

We strongly advise passengers to review the updated schedule prior to travel.

Passengers can view the schedule here, and COVID-19 travel requirements here.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a regular weekend/holiday schedule for Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2020.

CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a regular weekday schedule for Columbus Day, October 12, 2020.

Passengers can view the schedule here, and COVID-19 travel requirements here.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.

Due to scheduled track work, all trains will be boarding on Track 2 at the Branford Station on Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th.

Passengers can view the schedule here, and COVID-19 travel requirements here.

Remember to sign up for alerts or update your preferences on our alerts page for the most up to date travel information.