Shore Line East Rules & Policies

Effective 09-08

Parking
There is no charge for parking at the Shore Line East (SLE) stations in Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook.

New Haven's Union Station and New London's Union Station both charge for parking.  Overflow parking for New Haven Union Station is available at the Coliseum Parking Lot and at the Temple Street Garage.  In addition, there is a parking garage located directly across Union Avenue in New Haven.

New Haven Parking Authority, Union Station 203-946-8936   
Water Street Parking Garage, New London 860-443-1775

There is no parking available at State Street Station in New Haven.

Disabled Access
All trains and stations are handicapped accessible*. Train personnel will assist in boarding and de-training.

* Westbrook station is equipped with a lift operated by train personnel.  Westbrook passengers with disabilities are 
     encouraged to call 1-800-ALL-RIDE at least 24 hours in advance.

Rest Rooms
Lavatory facilities are available on board each train, and are located in the cab control car.  Simply ask a crewmember for its location.  Station lavatory facilities are also available at the New London, Old Saybrook and New Haven's Union Station train stations.

Pets
Trained service animals assisting the disabled are permitted without restriction. Only small pets confined in a closed, ventilated container are permitted on board.

General Guidelines

No Smoking
Smoking is prohibited on all trains.

Baggage
Items that can be safely carried and stored by the passenger are permitted on board the trains.  Items that can cause inconvenience or safety hazards to passengers or crew are not permitted.

Bicycles
Bicycles are permitted on board SLE trains operating between New Haven and New London (including all intermediate stations) only.  All bicycles must be stored in a safe and secure manner to allow emergency egress by passengers.  The cyclist should remain in close proximity to the bicycle, and must obey instructions of the train crew.  Bicycles groups should contact 203-789-7189 x131 prior to travel, to ensure space availability.  For travel west of New Haven, please consult Amtrak or MTA Metro-North Railroad for their current policies.

Fares & Tickets
Shore Line East offers many different ticket types so you can get the best deal for the services you need. All multi-ride tickets are offered at discounted prices from the regular one-way fares.

Passengers transferring to a New Haven Line train may buy their New Haven Line ticket on-board without paying the surcharge.  Just show the conductor your Shore Line East ticket when making your purchase. Passengers returning to Shore Line East on the New Haven Line should purchase their New Haven Line tickets before boarding the train to avoid paying an additional surcharge.

SLE commuters continuing on past New Haven may purchase their New Haven Line ticket on board the New Haven Line train.  Just tell the conductor you're connecting from a Shore Line East train, show your receipt and the surcharge will be waived.

Monthly Plus - includes Shore Line East and Commuter Connection bus service in New Haven, Bridgeport and Stamford.  Monthly Plus tickets are valid for the calendar month shown and may be used for unlimited travel between the stations specified on weekdays, weekends and holidays. The bus portion of the monthly plus bus ticket is honored for travel on all CTTRANSIT bus routes (including Commuter Connection buses).

Ten-Trip - sold by phone by calling 1-800-ALL-RIDE, and at the ticket windows at New Haven's Union Station, Old Saybrook and New London. Cash, checks and credit cards are all accepted at these ticket windows. Check or credit card is recommended for ticket purchases by phone. Cash is required for on-board ticket purchases.  Ten-trip tickets are valid for 90 days.

One-Way - sold on board trains and at the New London, Old Saybrook and New Haven ticket windows. Please have correct fare with you — checks and credit cards are not accepted for ticket purchase on board trains. Cash is required for on-board ticket purchases.  One-way tickets are valid for 90 days.

Uni-Rail - is a combined Shore Line East and New Haven Line rail ticket.  Daily (one-way), weekly or monthly tickets are available.

Children - Up to four children ages 11 and under may travel for free with a Shore Line East fare-paying adult weekdays and weekends. Additional children will be charged the adult fare. The Shore Line East "Child Fare Policy" does not apply to Amtrak - SLE options.

If you're continuing your trip on a Metro-North New Haven Line train, for up to four children ages
5-11 traveling with a paying adult, the fare is 75 cents each.  Any additional children ages 5-11 will be charged half the adult fare.  Children under 5 years of age travel free.

Refunds - The redemption value of unused or partially used SLE monthly tickets is determined based on the calendar day of the month that the ticket is postmarked for refund, or presented at the ticket window.

Lost Tickets - Lost, damaged or stolen tickets are neither refunded nor replaced.