CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456

FOR RELEASE: January 24, 2012

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

New Haven Line Ridership Sets Record for 2011

          Ridership on the New Haven rail commuter between New Haven and New York City set a record in 2011: 38,240,135 riders – up about 2.6 percent from 2010, when there were 37,247,700 riders. The New Haven Line is the busiest rail line in the United States.

          The previous record was 37,895,827 for 2008, a year that included a “leap day.” The average daily ridership on the New Haven Line is about 125,000.

          “Increased ridership can be attributed to many factors – from the economy to simple convenience – but I like to think it’s also because of our increased investments in new rail cars and better, more comfortable and more reliable service,” said James P. Redeker, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT), which owns the New Haven Line.

          The New Haven Line is operated by Metro-North Railroad, under contract to the DOT.