A Norwalk Hour editorial last week showcased the work of the New Milford Rail Restoration Society, a citizens group pushing for the extension South Norwalk-Danbury service to New Milford. Supporters of the proposal say the additional rail service could ease "the glut of vehicle traffic on Route 7," which will worsen once planned roadwork gets underway. The Norwalk paper called the rail proposal "a perfect fit" to deal with burgeoning congestion. Citing the Rowland Administration's Shore Line East about-face, the Hour opined, "Perhaps state officials -- and the public -- are beginning to see the advantage of mass transit if the service provided is adequate."

The "Rail Service Task Force" of CT's General Assembly could confirm the suggestion with a soon-to-be-released report addressing rail transit issues in the state. Headed by Transportation Committee Chair William Aniskovich, the task force has examined commuter service expansions, transit marketing programs, CT's relationship with Amtrak and other issues. A Task Force member informed the Campaign that the expansion of Shore Line East service from New Haven to Hartford and the creation of a New Haven transportation hub at State Street were among the report's draft recommendations. The preliminary report also calls for more Shore Line East publicity and advises that future policy changes that could disrupt mass transportation go through the state legislature. The latter suggestion apparently aims to avert a repeat performance of last year's drama surrounding Shore Line East service, which escaped Gov. John Rowland's budget guillotine only by public and political mobilization.