DOT to hold hearings this week on Shore Line East reductions
Sep. 30—The state Department of Transportation is proposing to cut Shore Line East weekday trains ― from 23 trains to 16 trains ― and increase fares.
The DOT said in a news release that the proposed changes to Shore Line East are separate from a new temporary schedule that recently went into effect due to an Amtrak project to improve the rail tracks. The proposed changes would be implemented after Amtrak finishes its upgrades.
The DOT announced in the release the proposed change to the commuter rail service that runs between New London and New Haven, along with other proposed rail and bus changes, amid previously approved budget cuts to Shore Line East and Metro-North Railroad and increases to CTtransit bus service.
The state agency is seeking comments at public hearings, and people can also submit comments through Oct. 6. None of the hearings, however, will be held in southeastern Connecticut.
The DOT further is proposing that Shore Line East Train 1640 would leave at 5:45 p.m. eastbound from New Haven, "eliminating a three-hour gap."
State DOT Bureau Chief of Public Transportation Benjamin Limmer said in a statement that commuting habits are continuing to evolve "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."
The state DOT in June cited that Shore Line East was at about 30% of its pre-pandemic levels. But rail advocates, such as the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council, have said that more frequent service would lead to more riders.
The DOT said fares will rise for Metro-North, Shore Line East and Hartford Line, except for monthly school passes. The DOT said fares have remained steady for Metro-North since 2018, for Shore Line East since 2016 and for the Hartford Line since it started.
The DOT has announced the following hearings on the proposed rail and bus changes:
—Monday, 5-6 p.m. (open house) and 6-8 p.m. (public hearing) at Kennedy Mitchell Hall of Records, 200 Orange St., New Haven.
—Tuesday, 5-6 p.m. (open house) and 6-8 p.m. (public hearing) at the Capitol Region Council of Governments, Third Floor Board Room, 241 Main St., Hartford.
—Wednesday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. via Zoom (Webinar ID: 819 3851 5237; Passcode: 026281)
—Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. via Zoom (Webinar ID: 819 3851 5237; Passcode: 194387).
The DOT said it encourages registration for everyone, but people who would like to speak are required to register at ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or by calling (860) 594-3612.
Information on the proposals, how to access the meeting or send comments is available at: https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Publictrans/Bureau-of-Public-Transportation/Service-and-Fare-Equity-Analysis.
