Regional Rail Expansion: CT Shore Line's Victory from Defeat...
Connecticut's Dept. of Transportation, in conjunction with Amtrak, will extend Shore Line East -- the commuter rail line operating between New Haven and Old Saybrook -- east to New London. The expansion, which could begin in February, will run two morning trains and two evening trains per day in the direction of peak travel. The service expansion represents an about-face in the Rowland Administration's attitude toward state-supported commuter rail and has left some observers puzzled. Last February, the Governor sought to eliminate the service entirely. Though an energetic citizen campaign led the state legislature to preserve the service, riders faced another hurdle last fall when ConnDOT sought to impose a huge fare hike that threatened to drive riders away. The agency eventually compromised on a modified fare increase.Members of the state legislature's Transportation Committee and its "Rail Service Task Force" say they had no foreknowledge of the announcement. Observers say they know little about how the decision was made to expand the service or why ConnDOT chose to do so now.
A DOT spokesperson said ridership increase, revenue from the fare hike and a marketing plan to further boost ridership prompted the extension. It will cost $150,000 per year, with no stops between New London and Old Saybrook. State Senator Melodie Peters praised the extension as an attempt to reduce I-95 congestion. Abigail Fearon of the Shore Line East Riders Assn. said her group "is delighted with the expansion." Hartford Courant, NY Times
