With construction on the interstates, proposed rail service from New Haven to Springfield, Mass., and Tweed New Haven Regional Airport searching for ways to stay in business, Connecticut has become a hub of transportation transformation. Follow continuing coverage here from the New Haven Register.
Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced the finalization of the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) Analysis which included changes to bus service in the CTtransit Hartford and New Haven service areas. The SAFE Analysis also included service changes to trains on the New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, Waterbury Line, and Shore Line East which were already implemented due to sudden and significant decline in ridership. In addition, the SAFE Analysis included the proposed elimination of the mail and ride rail fare media. The date for the elimination of the mail and ride fare media has not been set. The final SAFE Analysis is available at www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.
The approved bus changes include adjustments to CTtransit express and local bus service in the greater Hartford area, expansion of CTtransit New Haven local area service, and minor fare changes to the CTtransit express routes 950 and 912. These bus changes were proposed in April 2021 and a series of public hearings were held during May 2021.
CTDOT accepted comments regarding these changes via email, mail, and voicemail during the public hearings and at participating local libraries. In response to public comments received in the hearing process, additional service adjustments are being made. These include improving service frequency on downtown Hartford shuttles and the Route 30-Bradley Flyer, improving New Haven Route 228 service to Hamden Hills, providing Sunday service on New Haven Route 255 to Ansonia and Seymour, and providing Sunday service on the New Haven Union Station Shuttle.
"CTDOT values the opinions of bus and train riders - especially when making changes to the public transportation system. We took the comments and input we received very seriously and made adjustments based on what we heard. This is why the public comment process is so important," said Richard Andreski, Bureau Chief of Public Transportation, Connecticut Department of Transportation.
The service changes in the CTtransit Hartford service area will take place on August 22, 2021, as well as the majority of New Haven area local service expansion. The additional New Haven area service changes that are being made in response to public input will take place later in 2021.
Details about the service changes will be available on CTtransit.com and in a more detailed announcement immediately ahead of the service change dates. Customers are encouraged to sign up for alerts by email on the website for the most up-to-date service announcements.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is pleased to announce that effective Monday, July 26, 2021, additional train service will be added to the CTrail Hartford Line and Shore Line East. Seven round trips that were eliminated in March, 2020 will be returned to the Hartford Line schedule and seven additional trains will be added to the Shore Line East schedule. Four Shore Line East trains will be extended from Old Saybrook to New London to allow for more travel options.
On July 19, Amtrak will add additional service on the Northeast Corridor between Boston and New York. Also on July 19, the Vermonter, which was suspended in March 2020, will resume daily operation to St. Albans, Vermont.
"Expanding train service is an important step for public transportation not only for our state, but also for our region and our country. It means we are moving forward in the right direction," said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. "We can once again, safely and responsibly, connect in person with our friends and families who we have missed."
Rail passengers must wear a mask while on board the trains and at the stations. These preventative measures will help maintain a safe and healthy travel experience for all.
