(The following story by Ed Stannard appeared on the New Haven Register website on January 25.)
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Shoreline residents may be able to board a train and sit back on their weekend trips to New Haven or New York as soon as next year, according to a new state report.
To do that though, the Shore Line East rail line would have to work out contract issues with Amtrak and the state would have to find a way to pay for the expanded Shore Line East service.
The report, prepared by the state Department of Transportation and released to the public this week, also proposes adding trains to New London and two-way travel during rush hours, but those plans are farther down the track.
“I’m pleased” that weekend service may become a reality sooner than previously thought, said Robert Jelley, a member of the Connecticut Rail Commuter Council. He takes the train from his Guilford home to his New Haven law office.
“I’m surprised and pleased that they have put weekend service ahead of (building) two-sided stations, because I had predicted otherwise,” said Jelley.
Stations on both sides of the tracks are among the obstacles to adding trains. They are required by the DOT’s 2003 contract with Amtrak in order to expand Shore Line East service.
Now, there is north-side access to trains only in Guilford and Old Saybrook. Two-way rush-hour service could not happen without them in Branford, Madison, Clinton and Westbrook as well.
Jelley said the benefits of weekend service would be huge to those who would like to head into New Haven or New York and leave their cars at home.
State Rep. Peter J. Panaroni Jr., D-Branford, a member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, said expanding service would also keep more cars off Interstate 95.
But the state must put more effort into it, he said.
“There are 30 people working on rail service in the state of Connecticut through the DOT,” he said. “Thirty people! That is totally unacceptable.”
Panaroni said the DOT report states there were 8 percent more riders in September 2006, 38,207, than a year earlier, without the state having done anything to reach out to potential new customers.
Ridership has increased steadily over the years, although Shore Line East has never been a money-maker.
“Imagine what we can do if we just put some of our resources into reaching out to the business community” to attract more riders, Panaroni said.
The DOT report projects an increased cost of $8.93 million to add weekend service plus one midday and one late evening train — 47 new trips per week.
The second phase, adding 156 trips per week to New London, would cost $23.56 million. However, “one major obstacle” is Amtrak’s movable bridges over the Connecticut River, Niantic Bay and at New London.
Finally, Phase 3, which would bring two-way service during weekdays, allowing for reverse commuting and evening trips into New Haven, would cost $201.4 million, mostly for expanded stations, 32 new M8 rail cars and parking. That wouldn’t happen till 2012 at the earliest.
Jelley said two-way service is most important to Shoreline residents. “There are people who would love to come into New Haven for a doctor’s appointment or something. It’s just too long a day” to wait for the evening outbound train, he said.
Weekend service met with enthusiasm from Shore Line East riders Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m all for it,” said Anastasia Bill of Guilford, who had just stepped off a Metro-North train from New York, where she works part time. “The kids would just use it to go into New Haven shopping. … I think it would be used, especially by teenagers.”
Pete Dion, who commutes from Old Saybrook to New Haven, was equally positive. “I ride it every day. Why wouldn’t I?” he said.
Amtrak spokesman Cliff Cole responded to the DOT’s report in a statement, saying, “We would be glad to review any specific proposal with ConnDOT and consider its feasibility.”
Judd B. Everhart, spokesman for the DOT, would only say, “The Shore Line East report speaks for itself. It is now in the hands of the governor and General Assembly for their evaluation and any possible action.”