Effective: April 14, 2008

ATTENTION OLD SAYBROOK AND NEW LONDON CUSTOMERS:
Select Amtrak Trains Cross-Honor Shore Line East Multi-Ride Tickets

Effective April 14, 2008, select Amtrak trains now honor valid Shore Line East (SLE) monthly, weekly and 10-trip multi-ride tickets.

SLE multi-ride tickets must be purchased prior to boarding Amtrak trains. Only SLE Old Saybrook and New London multi-ride tickets will be accepted on-board select Amtrak trains Monday through Friday only (excluding holidays). A combination of tickets will not be accepted.

SLE customers must show their valid SLE multi-ride ticket to the Amtrak Conductor each time they travel.

To find out more about the schedules of the select Amtrak trains, click here.
To view the Shore Line East timetable, click here.

New Shore Line East Schedule In Effect Starting Monday, April 7, 2008

A new Shore Line East schedule goes into effect on Monday, April 7th with the following changes:

MORNING

• There are no changes to the schedules of any of the westbound trains traveling from Old Saybrook.


• Please be advised that the New Haven Line train that connects with SLE train #1632 (departing from New Haven's Union Station at 3:20 PM), has a newly adjusted schedule. Consult the New Haven Line timetable (link to MTA/mnr) for more information.

AFTERNOON/EVENING

• While SLE train #1632 still departs from New Haven's Union Station at 3:20 PM, please be advised that the Metro-North New Haven Line connecting train (#1530) departs from New Haven Line stations earlier. Please consult the Shore Line East timetable for more information.


• SLE train #1679, departing from Old Saybrook at 4:12 PM, will arrive at New Haven's Union Station at 4:52 PM - five minutes later than the previous schedule. It will connect with a New Haven Line train (#1581) that departs from New Haven at 5:33 PM.


• SLE train #1646, departing from New Haven's Union Station at 6:38 PM, will arrive in New London at 7:48 PM - five minutes later than the previous schedule. All other arrival/departure times remain the same.


• SLE train #1693, departing from New London at 7:55 PM and Old Saybrook at 8:15 PM and then stopping only in Guilford, will arrive at New Haven's Union Station at 9 PM - five minutes later than the previous schedule. It will connect with the same New Haven Line train, departing at 9:16 PM.


• The schedules of some New Haven Line connecting trains have been adjusted. Please consult Metro-North's April 6, 2008 timetable for more information.

SERVICE ADVISORY

Amtrak has recently reduced speeds on the Shore Line to perform repair work on bridges and ties. These speed restrictions have affected on-time performance for Amtrak and Shore Line East trains, especially SLE Train 1637, which departs New Haven for Stamford at 7:40 AM.

In an effort to improve overall train performance, the Connecticut DOT and Amtrak have agreed to the following schedule modifications:

• Beginning on Monday, February 11th, SLE Train 1602 will not carry passengers and will arrive earlier at Old Saybrook, improving SLE Train 1637's ability to leave on time.
• Beginning on Tuesday, February 19th, Amtrak will begin operating Acela Train 2151 five minutes earlier to improve operation with SLE Train 1637.
• Also beginning on Tuesday, February 19th, SLE Trains 1646 and 1693 will each arrive five minutes later at their final destinations to improve their overall train performance.

Amtrak is working on repairs as quickly as possible. However, they may take as long as two months to complete. In the meantime, the Connecticut DOT and Amtrak are working to find other solutions to minimize the delays. We believe the changes described above will improve service delivery. We ask for your patience as we continue to work together to improve Shore Line East service during this period.

SHORE LINE EAST SCHEDULE EFFECTIVE MONDAY OCTOBER 8, 2007

For the complete schedule, click here

MORNING

• Shore Line East train #1602, traveling from New Haven's Union Station to Old Saybrook, still departs from New Haven at 6:23 AM, and now stops only in Guilford at 6:40 AM on its way to Old Saybrook at 7:03 AM.

• A new mid-day Shore Line East train (#1622) travels from New Haven to Old Saybrook, departing from New Haven's Union Station at 1:00 PM and State Street Station at 1:02 PM. This new mid-day train makes stops at Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton and Westbrook before arriving in Old Saybrook at 1:45 PM.
• Shore Line East train #1640 departs from New Haven's Union Station at 5:37 PM, eight minutes earlier than the previous schedule. Stops at all shoreline stations are also eight minutes earlier than the previous schedule.

Governor Rell Applauds Improved Shore Line East Customer Satisfaction Responses

Governor M. Jodi Rell today applauded the higher satisfaction ratings given to Shore Line East (SLE) by rail commuters in a new survey and said the rail service east of New Haven is an important component of her effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility in southeastern Connecticut.

Click here to read the full press release....

MINOR SHORE LINE EAST SCHEDULE CHANGES IN EFFECT
AS OF MONDAY, JUNE 11, 2007

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) has announced new timetables which took effect on Monday, June 11th for New Haven Line (NHL) and Shore Line East (SLE) riders.

The changes were made in support of summer rail construction work on the New Haven Line. The SLE time adjustments are in coordination with the New Haven Line. Various construction projects, such as installation of concrete rail ties, catenary and rail bridge work, increase during this summer construction season. Minor timetable adjustments allow these construction projects to be completed in reduced timeframes.

“The summer construction season is upon us, and with it rail infrastructure and rail track work will be in full force. Over the past several years, increases in state and federal funding have supported the state’s effort to improve and update our rail infrastructure. The summer offers us an opportunity to adjust the timetable a few minutes, gaining valuable time that helps reduce construction schedules. As with highways and roads, we ask our customers to consult their local timetables and plan accordingly. We appreciate your patience and support of Connecticut’s rail projects as we continue to update and improve rail service in the state,” said Transportation Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter.

The Shore Line East schedule changes in effect on June 11, 2007 are as follows:

AFTERNOON/EVENING

• Shore Line East train #1640 now departs from Bridgeport one minute later (5:15 PM) and New Haven five minutes later, picking up passengers at Union Station at 5:45 PM and State Street Station at 5:47 PM. Arrival times at all shoreline stations are also five minutes later.
• Train #1610 now departs from Stamford and other New Haven Line stations two minutes earlier, arriving at New Haven's Union Station at 9:07 AM and State Street Station at
  9:10 AM (one minute later than the previous timetable).

NEW SHORE LINE EAST SCHEDULE IN EFFECT AS OF
MONDAY, APRIL 2, 2007
A new Shore Line East schedule went into effect on Monday, April 2nd with the following changes:

MORNING

• Shore Line East train #1621 now departs from all shoreline stations three minutes later, arriving at State Street Station at 6:09 AM and New Haven's Union Station at 6:12 AM.
• Improved, faster connecting New Haven Line service now leaves New Haven's Union Station at 6:17 AM, stopping only at Bridgeport (arriving at 6:37 AM) and Stamford (arriving at 7:02 AM)

• Shore Line East train #1640 now departs from New Haven's Union Station three minutes later (5:40 PM). Arrival times at all shoreline stations are three minutes later than the previous timetable.
• Shore Line East train #1646 now departs from New Haven's Union Station four minutes later (at 6:38 PM). Arrival times at all shoreline stations are four minutes later than the previous timetable.
• Shore Line East train #1674 now departs from New Haven's Union Station eight minutes later (at 8:50 PM). Arrival times at all shoreline stations are eight minutes later than the previous timetable.
• Shore Line East train #1693 now departs from New London and Old Saybrook five minutes later, arriving at New Haven's Union Station at 8:50 PM.

To view the Shore Line East schedule that goes into effect on April 2, 2007, click here.

A revised New Haven Line timetable is scheduled to take effect on April 1, 2007 - please check your connections.

Effective October 30, 2006:
A new Shore Line East timetable is now in effect with a few, minor changes, which are explained below.

MORNING

• Shore Line East train #1627 now departs three minutes earlier from all shoreline stations, arriving at State Street Station at 6:32 AM and at Union Station at 6:35 AM. Arrival times in New Haven are also three minutes earlier than the April 24, 2006 timetable.
• Shore Line East train #1651 now departs one minute earlier from all shoreline stations, arriving at State Street Station at 9:57 AM and at Union Station at 9:59 AM. Arrival times in New Haven are also one minute earlier than previous.
• The early morning Amtrak train now arrives at New Haven's Union Station at 7:20 AM (one minute earlier than the April 24, 2006 timetable).
  (Please note: This Amtrak train is available for SLE Monthly Ticket Holders only).

AFTERNOON/EVENING

• Shore Line East train #1656 departs from New Haven's Union Station at 6:57 PM, one minute later than the previous schedule. Stops at all shoreline stations are also one minute later.
• The Amtrak train that departs from New Haven's Union Station at 5:30 PM now arrives in New London at 6:18 PM (one minute later than previously scheduled).
  (Please note: This Amtrak train is available for SLE Monthly Ticket Holders only).
• The Amtrak train that departs from New Haven's Union Station at 7:30 PM now arrives in New London at 8:18 PM (one minute later than previously scheduled).
  (Please note: This Amtrak train is available for SLE Monthly Ticket Holders only).

To view the Shore Line East schedule that went into effect on October 30, 2006, click here.

Connecticut Commuter Rail Service Continues to Gain Riders
(updated 10/03/2006)

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) released ridership figures for 2006 on the Shore Line East (SLE) and New Haven Line (NHL). Overall, Connecticut rail service continues to show steady increases in both intra-state and inter-state train service. In June, Shore Line East rail service surpassed its five million riders since its inception in 1991.

To read the full announcement click here.

Shore Line East Customers Note Rail Service Improvements
(updated 9/14/2006)

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) today released the results from a recent passenger survey showing improved customer satisfaction and on-time performance on the Shore Line East (SLE) rail line. Ninety-Two (92) percent of those responding say overall performance has improved or stayed the same on Shore Line East. Of that group, nearly 32 percent feel service has improved on Shore Line East. The survey results were presented to shoreline chief elected officials at the August South Central Council of Governments meeting late last month.

To read the full announcement click here.

SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT UPDATE
(updated 8/28/2006)

Work on Amtrak's Branford River Bridge construction project between Branford and Guilford has been completed. Both tracks are now back in service.

ConnDOT Announces Higher Ridership on Connecticut Trains
Shore Line East Shows Steady Increases

Connecticut’s Commuter Rail Service experienced remarkable increases in passenger service for 2005. In total, nearly one million additional train passengers traveled on the New Haven Line in 2005, a 3.2 percent increase from 2004. On Shore Line East, nearly 15,000 additional rides were recorded, marking a 4.45 percent increase from 2004.

Shore Line East (SLE) showed ridership increases throughout the year, with the last several months jumping to double digit increases. Overall, Connecticut continues to experience a healthy in-state ridership increase.

For SLE service, ridership increases were significantly higher in the past three months, with increases ranging from 9 to 22 percent for daily riders. Trains with final destinations to the Stamford train station experienced a 1-2% increase in ridership or approximately a total of 830 riders each day for September.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.ct.gov/dot/cwp/view.asp?a=1373&Q=309430

New Shore Line East Station Opens in Guilford

A newly constructed Guilford Shore Line East train station opened for use by commuters on Monday, November 28, 2005.

The newly constructed Guilford facility offers access on both sides of the railway, with a pedestrian overpass allowing commuters to park or be dropped off on either side of the tracks. The train station is located on the south side with boarding for service in either direction. The south side of the station provides for 176 newly-paved parking spaces. The north side has a drop off area, accessible parking for people with disabilities, and connects to a pedestrian overpass for commuters to access the train station boarding platform.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation constructed the Branford, Guilford and Clinton train stations to replace the older existing lower platform decks. The new stations have increased access and service, with improved functions such as handicapped accessibility, high-level platforms to allow for level boarding on trains, a commuter shelter area, a convenient commuter drop off area, increased parking and enhanced lighting. A total of five new stations are being built, with the Madison and Westbrook Stations scheduled to begin construction in 2006.



Effective Monday, August 8, 2005:
The new Branford station will open. For details and directions, click here.

Shore Line East Passenger Regulations

Trained service animals accompanying passengers with disabilities are the only animals permitted on SLE trains. Trained service animals must be kept under the control of their owners at all times.

Children aged 2 through 15 receive a 50% discount when accompanied by one person paying an adult rail fare. Children under age 2 are permitted to travel free.

Bicycles are allowed on SLE trains but must have the front tire removed. Passengers must safely carry their bikes on and off board, and safely store the bicycle onboard the SLE trains.

For more information, e-mail us at: contactus @ rideworks.com.