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Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that new train service is being added on the Danbury and Waterbury branch lines of Metro-North Railroad and eastbound service on the New Haven Line is being expanded to meet customer requests. The changes take effect on Sunday, October 5. Two new midday trains will run on weekdays on the Danbury Branch, while two new midday trains will run on weekends on the Waterbury Branch. All four runs are being added to meet growing customer demand and offer even greater flexibility for travel to and from Connecticut communities and New York City. In addition, trains on the New Haven Line will be extended to eliminate a 47-minute gap in service between Stamford and New Haven during the critical evening rush hour and improve connections between New York City, Greenwich and Stamford. “These schedule improvements will help Connecticut residents hang on to more of their hard-earned money,” Governor Rell said. “With gasoline prices in the stratosphere and an expensive winter heating season on the way, consumers are eager to find a way to economize on both the workday commute and travel throughout the region. Through August, ridership on the New Haven Line has increased by more than 5 percent, adding more than 1.2 million more customer trips. There is no question about it: The need for expanded – and even smarter – service is real. “Traveling by train is a win-win-win for customers, the environment and our efforts to reduce highway congestion,” the Governor said. “These improvements reflect our continuing emphasis on making Metro-North – already one of the busiest rail lines in the nation – even more customer-friendly. Working together, our Department of Transportation and Metro-North are able to add this new service at a relatively low cost to the state, which is also important in these difficult financial times.” The expanded service on both the Waterbury and Danbury branch lines will mean schedule adjustments on both lines. Customers should consult the new time schedule, available beginning today on the Web site at www.mta.info. To extend service on the New Haven Line, the 5:48 p.m. train departing from Grand Central – which currently terminates in Bridgeport – will have station stops in Stratford and Milford, arriving in New Haven at 7:36 p.m. The 5:30 p.m. train from Grand Central – which currently terminates in Old Greenwich – will continue to Stamford, arriving at 6:29 p.m. “The DOT is committed to providing enhanced service on all levels,” said Commissioner Joseph F. Marie. “Connecticut’s intrastate ridership increased over 16 percent from last August. Given this kind of demand, we are committed to providing flexible, expanded schedules and additional rail service.” Metro-North will also adjust late-evening train service to accommodate capital improvement projects in New York and Connecticut. The changes will create an additional late-evening, westbound train from Grand Central to Connecticut and provide a later departure for the last train from New Haven to Grand Central – also something customers have been requesting. Additional minor adjustments are being made to several evening peak express trains to accommodate track and bridge work between South Norwalk and Bridgeport. To check out all the changes, see the new timetables available at train stations, visit the Metro-North Web site or call (800) METRO-INFO. Schedules on Shore Line East will also see minor time changes on both weekday and weekend service, staring October 5. The changes will make connecting service with the New Haven Line more efficient. Customers should consult the new timetable via www.shorelineeast.com or call (800) ALL-RIDE. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com. Some articles and pictures posted on our website, as indicated by their bylines, were submitted as press releases and do not necessarily reflect the position and opinion of NorwalkPlus.com, Norwalk Plus magazine, Canaiden LLC or any of its associated entities. Articles may have been edited for brevity and grammar. Related Articles: NCC presents domestic violence awareness lecture - Sep 25, 2008 - 3:25 PM Silvermine celebrates National Hispanic Month with an exhibit of Contemporary Cuban Art - Sep 24, 2008 - 7:34 AM The fall brings the return of David Dunlop’s popular Silvermine Lecture Series - Sep 22, 2008 - 10:30 AM NCC offers art, architecture and home furnishings tours in N.Y.C. - Sep 19, 2008 - 1:19 AM CURRENT HEADLINES: Top of Page
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