The Connecticut Department of Transportation today announced the 30th Anniversary of the Shore Line East train service. Shore Line East began train service began on May 29, 1990. The fledgling service began with only six trains each weekday between Old Saybrook and New Haven. In 1996, the Department extended service to New London. In 2001, the Department offered limited express service to Bridgeport and Stamford. Prior to recent service reductions due to COVID-19, Shore Line East provides 36 trains per weekday and 21 trains per day on weekends and holidays.
With the support of many governors and legislators, the Department has invested consistently in Shore Line East service as well as train stations, boarding platforms and parking lots. These investments have improved access to rail service and supported an environmentally sustainable alternative to commuting on the highways. The train service has been popular with many residents, serving 595,547 riders last year. Since the popular service debuted in 1990, it has carried over 15 million passengers.
The Department continues to make new investments in the services. There is an ongoing construction project to add a second platform at Clinton Station, which allow additional train stops at the station. The Department has also partnered with Amtrak to build a new railroad interlocking in Clinton that will provide flexibility in train schedules and improve service reliability.
“Connecticut has provided major investments in Shore Line East over the last 30 years, including adding a new station at State Street in New Haven to lessen the travel impact on Interstate 95 during the construction of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge,” said Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “Shore Line East has continued to serve essential workers during this public health emergency and we look forward to welcoming our customers back after this COVID-19 public health emergency passes.”
“We are pleased to announce the 30th anniversary of the Shore Line East train service,” said Bureau Chief Richard Andreski. “The Department also wants to thank Amtrak management and employees for their dedication in operating Shore Line East service, and to all the customers who traveled on Shore Line East over the last 30 years.”
Jon Foster, Transportation Supervising Rail Officer at the Connecticut Department of Transportation employee was present at the grand opening event in 1990. He recalls, “I was working for the Department when the Shore Line East service was inaugurated. The Shore Line East service was operated with 'vintage' passenger and freight locomotives and Pullman coaches with '1970’s' orange two by two seating. Station passenger boarding was at wooden low-level platforms. When the Amtrak Northeast Regional train ran past the Guilford wooden platform at 120 mph you had better hold onto your hat while waiting for your Shore Line East train.”