In anticipation of increased ridership over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is alerting riders that additional trains are being added on the Hartford Line (HL). Additionally, the New Haven Line and Shore Line East will operate with modified schedules over the holiday.
The Hartford Line will operate a Saturday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, and on Friday, November 29. Additional CTrail HL trains will be added to the schedule to accommodate the anticipated increased passenger volume. CTDOT staff will be at Hartford Line Stations, including New Haven Union Station and Hartford Union Station, on Tuesday November 26, Wednesday November 27, and Sunday December 1 to assist passengers traveling for the holiday.
“During this busy travel holiday, we’re adding more trains to the Hartford Line so riders have more convenient options to reach their destinations. Our staff will also be available at stations along the Hartford Line to help new and experienced riders find and board their trains,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Thank you to our rail service providers for partnering with us and adding more trains and staff to the Hartford Line. This partnership ensures that riders have more options to travel in Connecticut during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.”
Four northbound and four southbound CTrail trains will be added to the schedule on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27. Three northbound and three southbound CTrail trains will be added to the schedule on Sunday, December 1.
The following additional CTrail trains will operate on Tuesday, November 26 and Wednesday, November 27:
Northbound:
- CTrail 4402 departing New Haven Union Station at 7:06 a.m.
- CTrail 4470 departing New Haven Union Station at 10:57 a.m.
- CTrail 4472 departing New Haven Union Station at 3:10 p.m.
- CTrail 4462 will add bus service between Hartford and Springfield
- CTrail 4494 departing New Haven Union Station at 7:55 p.m.
Southbound:
- CTrail 4471 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 10:35 a.m.
- CTrail 4473 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 2:22 p.m.
- CTrail 4475 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 6:37 p.m.
- CTrail 4419 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 11:39 p.m.
The following additional CTrail trains will operate on Sunday, December 1:
Northbound:
- CTrail 6450 departing New Haven Union Station at 8:38 a.m.
- CTrail 6460 departing New Haven Union Station at 11:25 a.m.
- CTrail 6462 departing New Haven Union Station at 2:00 p.m.
Southbound:
- CTrail 6461 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 12:13 p.m.
- CTrail 6409 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 3:08 p.m.
- CTrail 6465 arriving at New Haven Union Station at 5:48 p.m.
To see the entire schedule, please visit HartfordLine.com.
Additionally, Shore Line East will operate on a weekend schedule on Thursday, November 28 through Sunday, December 1. Please visit ShoreLineEast.com for the most current schedules.
Metro-North Railroad will also operate a special train schedule on the New Haven Line on Thursday, November 28, and will operate a modified Saturday schedule on Friday, November 29. Please visit new.mta.info for the most current New Haven Line schedules.
While reservations are never required on CTrail HL trains, passengers planning to ride an Amtrak HL train during the holiday should make a reservation before traveling through the Amtrak website or the Amtrak mobile app. All Amtrak trains may reach capacity in this peak travel period and if at capacity, will not accept CTrail ticket holders on board the train. During this holiday, passengers using Amtrak multi-ride tickets such as monthly passes and ten-trip tickets should also make a reservation on board whichever Amtrak train they wish to use. Travel is encouraged early in the day to avoid overcrowding.
HL passengers are encouraged to pre-purchase their rail tickets before boarding. CTrail passengers may purchase their rail tickets using the CTrail eTix mobile ticketing app or at CTrail ticket vending machines.
Passengers are encouraged to visit HartfordLine.com or Amtrak.com for the latest service information. Riders can also sign up for alerts sent directly to their phone or email at HartfordLine.com/service-alerts.
For information about all rail services in Connecticut, visit ctrail.com.