Shore Line East: What's New

Shore Line East Fare Increase

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) will initiate a modest fare increase on its Shore Line East train service effective January 1, 2012. This increase is the first one since 2005 and is needed to address the rising cost of rail operational expenses.

These new rates will eliminate the need to cut commuter rail or bus services in the near future and help cover necessary equipment updates and enhancements.

You can view the new fares on the Shore Line East website or see them posted at all local stations. The new fare increase will be reflected in the monthly rail and monthly rail plus bus tickets on sale December 15.

WESTBROOK Station Parking Announcement

Attention Shore Line East customers parking at the Westbrook station: In order to better serve our growing number of riders, a new Westbrook Station is being constructed. When complete, this station will provide shelter to waiting customers, high-level platform access to trains and three times the number of parking spaces currently available.

Work on the station is slated to begin as early as November 30^th. During the initial phases of construction, the number of parking spaces may be temporarily reduced. As parking becomes constrained, please find alternate parking available at the Clinton and Madison Shore Line East stations. Thank you for your patience.

Shore Line East November Schedule Update

Shore Line East operation schedules have been updated and will be available online and at all local stations.

The new schedule is effective Monday, November 7th, 2011.

There are no changes to your regular scheduled Shore Line East trains. The new schedule reflects updated Metro-North's New Haven Line train times.

You can view the new schedule on the Shore Line East website (posted after 8 p.m. Sunday 11/6), or see it displayed at all stations. Printed copies will also be available at the stations, town agencies and local businesses.

Just in time for holiday travel and shopping!

Relax during the holiday season and enjoy the comfort and convenience of traveling by train!

Whether heading home for the holidays, shopping or going to see the tree in Rockefeller Center, avoid the usual hustle & bustle, sit back and enjoy the ride.

Special weekday and weekend / holiday trains have been added to make the most of the holiday season. For specific times, check the new schedule posted on-line and in stations.

Expanded Parking Lot Open at Branford Train Station

Almost two years after breaking ground, Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) officials, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and local officials formally opened the expanded parking lot at the busy Branford Shore Line East station – a project that more than doubles the available spaces by adding 272 spaces to what was a 199-space lot. The new section is slightly elevated from the existing lot and is accessible by a new bridge over a tidal stream. Parking at the Branford station is free.

Shore Line East Rail Service Earns High Marks in 2010 Rider Survey

A new state survey shows that Shore Line East riders give the rail service high marks, with more than 84 percent of commuters rating their overall satisfaction as a 1 or 2 – the highest ratings on a scale of 1 to 7.

The survey conducted by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) also found:

97 percent of the riders surveyed felt that Shore Line East was as good as or better than a year ago, with 46 percent stating the railroad has improved over the past year.
An overwhelming majority of passengers surveyed would recommend Shore Line East to a friend (98.2 percent), felt it was a good value (93.9 percent), and found they can easily read or work on their train (92.6 percent).

In February, the state added new morning and evening rush-hour trains between New London and New Haven on Shore Line East. In May, three more round-trip trains were added on Shore Line East – one in the morning and two in the evening.

ConnDOT conducted the 2010 Shore Line East Customer Satisfaction Survey on June 8 on all morning westbound Shore Line East trains from New London and Old Saybrook to New Haven. The survey asked riders to rate their level of satisfaction with 29 separate Shore Line East categories.

"Previous surveys have identified how we can better serve our customers, and as a result, we have made many improvements that resonate well with our customers and their positive reaction is evident in this survey," stated ConnDOT Rail Administrator Eugene Colonese. "In the recent past, we have enhanced weekend service and provided additional weekday service to and from New London."

The Connecticut Department of Transportation\'s Shore Line East rail service operates between New London and New Haven on weekdays and seven days a week (including holidays), between Old Saybrook and New Haven. Connections to the New Haven Line and Amtrak are available at New Haven\'s Union Station. For additional information, please visit www.ShoreLineEast.com, or call 1-800-ALL-RIDE.