Shore Line East Background

Connecticut has two commuter rail services: MetroNorth and Shore Line East. MetroNorth travels between New York City and New Haven. Shore Line East connects with MetroNorth in New Haven and carries passengers on to stops in Branford, Clinton, Guilford, Madison, Westbrook and Old Saybrook.

From 2002 to 2007 Shore Line East yearly ridership has seen a 60% increase (303,000 riders to 483,000). Using numbers experienced over the first six months of 2008, ridership this year is projected to grow to over 525,000 (2,100 per day).

Improving Connecticut’s Commuter Rail Service

In the early 2000’s Governor Rowland recognized the need for improved mass transportation in the State. Later, Governor Rell turbo-charged the State’s focus on mass transportation by proposing $1.3 billion in infrastructure improvements in 2005. The legislature concurred and presented a $2.5 billion transportation infrastructure package in the 2007 State budget. The need for reliable, convenient and timely bus and rail transportation became a statewide priority and several initiatives were undertaken.

These initiatives include (but certainly are not limited to):

• The purchase of 380 new commuter cars for the MetroNorth and Shore Line East lines.
• Renovations to existing Connecticut trains stations and the construction of new stations along the I-95 corridor.
• Construction of a new $300 million commuter line between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, MA. (By the year 2025, ridership on that 62 mile line is projected to be 2048 per day, compared to SLE’s current ridership of more than 2100 per day on the 30 miles of track to Old Saybrook.)

As part of the State’s goal to improve mass transit, 2006 legislation required the DOT to report on the obstacles blocking SLE expansion. The report “Expanding Rail Service on Shore Line East” was published on January I, 2007. It identifies obstacles to improved rail service on Shore Line East and contains recommended phases of expansion of service. The implementation of Phase One and Two of the plan was called for under legislation passed in the June Special Session of 2007.

Phase One (implemented in July 2008) adds weekend train service at the six Shore Line East stops from New Haven to Old Saybrook. Phase Two will bring all Shore Line East trains to New London, providing the same frequent, reliable and inexpensive rail service available to the rest of Connecticut’s coastline. (Only two rail stations along Connecticut’s I-95 corridor do NOT have commuter rail service - New London and Mystic.)

Below is a current, SLE weekday schedule (selected stations). The times highlighted in yellow are potential stops that could occur if all Shore Line East trains came to New London. All but one SLE train connects with MetroNorth in New Haven within 15 minutes.