CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: September 24, 2018

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

BIKES ON BOARD – Over 300 Bicycle Trips Using CTrail Hartford Line Trains

Hartford, CT – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is pleased to announce that CTrail Hartford Line trains have carried over 300 bikes since the bike policy was updated in mid-August. The new policy allows passengers to bring bicycles on board all CTrail trains on the new Hartford Line between New Haven and Springfield, MA. (www.hartfordline.com).

“We are reminding folks that now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy a fall bike ride,” said CTDOT Public Transportation Bureau Chief Richard Andreski. “Let the rails extend your ride and discover some new routes.”

The Hartford Line is a vital link in the commuter rail network that connects not only Springfield, MA to New Haven, CT with intermediary stops at Windsor Locks, Windsor, Hartford, Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford, but also connects to New Haven Line (MTA Metro-North) trains in New Haven for travel westbound to New York City or CTrail Shore Line East for travel eastbound to New London. Bicyclists can now access virtually all parts of the region aboard CTrail and interconnecting rail services.

CTDOT is continuing to work with Amtrak to extend this bicycle program to include Amtrak Hartford Line trains. For now, Amtrak accepts collapsible and folding bicycles, which must be folded before boarding the train and stored in luggage storage areas at the end of the car or under a seat.

Specific bicycle policies vary on each rail service that interconnects with the Hartford Line so it is recommended that passengers consult each agency’s website to learn more. Bicycle rules for each agency are listed below.

--     CTrail Shore Line East (https://shorelineeast.com/rider-resources/policies)

--     MTA Metro-North Railroad (http://web.mta.info/bike/)

--    Amtrak (https://www.amtrak.com/bring-your-bicycle-onboard) - Amtrak currently does not allow bicycles (except folding bikes) on Amtrak operated Hartford Line trains. Be sure to check the Hartford Line Schedule to determine if you’ll be on an Amtrak train or a CTrail train. CTDOT is working with Amtrak to update this policy.

For more information, contact CTrides at 1-877-CTrides (1-877-287-4337) or info@CTrides.com.