20 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Hartford, CT Courant, 6/12/18:

 

Hartford Line's CTrail Trains To Run Without Bathrooms After ADA Complaint

 

A complaint from a state disability advocacy organization has shuttered bathrooms aboard the Hartford Line’s CTrail trains just before the new commuter line’s launch this weekend.

 

 

Read this.

[KevinKorell]

masslive.com     6/15/18:

 

First CTrail commuter train makes trek from Springfield to Connecticut

 

U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and other local dignitaries made the ceremonial first trip south Friday on CTrail from the renovated Union Station to Hartford.

 

 

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[KevinKorell]

 

 

Ride the Hartford Line FREE this Weekend!

 

 

The new Hartford Line rail service begins tomorrow, on Saturday, June 16th! To celebrate the launch of the first new rail service in Connecticut in over 20 years, the Connecticut Department of Transportation invites the public to ride the line free on Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th!

Ambassadors will be at all Hartford Line stations distributing complimentary tickets. With the exception of the Vermonter, this weekend’s complimentary tickets will be honored by Amtrak trains that serve the Hartford Line.

View the Hartford Line schedules at HartfordLine.com! 

For more information about the NHHS Rail Program visit www.nhhsrail.com.
To learn more about the new CTrail Hartford Line passenger rail service, launching on June 16th, 2018, please visit www.hartfordline.com.

[KevinKorell]

 

 

 

Gov. Malloy Announces Launch of the Hartford Line,
Providing Frequent Rail Service in the Central Connecticut Corridor

 

 

 

                       CTrail Hartford Line is the First Passenger Rail Line to Open in Connecticut in Over Two Decades

 

 

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today joined dozens of federal, state, and local officials, and Connecticut commuters to officially launch the CTrail Hartford Line for service. The passenger rail line, which has multiple stations in Central Connecticut along the I-91 corridor connecting New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, is the first passenger rail line to open for service in Connecticut since 1990.

The Governor marked the occasion first with a ceremony in New Haven, where he joined other officials for a brief ribbon cutting ceremony, and then boarded one of the distinctive red, white, and black-branded rail cars for a ride to Hartford’s Union Station, where the main grand opening ceremony was held. A second train carrying Massachusetts officials departed Springfield and arrived in Hartford for the ceremony. As the trains arrived from each direction, they broke through Hartford Line banners that were suspended across the tracks. Hundreds of federal, state, and local officials and members of the public attended the ceremony to celebrate the launch of the line, which has been under consideration for decades.

“With the launch of the Hartford Line, Connecticut is taking long-overdue, bold steps to invest in our future – laying the tracks for job growth, business expansion, and the revitalization of our urban areas,” Governor Malloy said. “Investing in our transportation system is critical to drive economic growth, boost development, create jobs, and improve the overall quality of life for our residents. If we want our state to be competitive and attract the jobs of the future, investing in our transportation system is not optional.”

 

Click here to view the full Press Release.

For more information about the NHHS Rail Program visit www.nhhsrail.com.
To learn more about the new CTrail Hartford Line passenger rail service, launching on June 16th, 2018, please visit www.hartfordline.com.

[KevinKorell]

Hartford, CT Courant, 6/16/18:

 

 

Thousands Take A Free Ride On Hartford Line's Inaugural Run

 

 

Of the thousands of passengers aboard the inaugural Hartford Line train Saturday, Bill Zenko said he and his son Matt had this trip planned for months — it is, after all, Zenko’s Father’s Day present.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 6/18/18:

 

Hartford Line launches to 'overwhelming demand'

 

The line served more than 10,300 riders on June 16, its first day of service. Photo – Hartford Line's Facebook account

 

Connecticut's new Hartford Line commuter-rail route served more than 10,300 riders on June 16, the line's first day of service, according to Gov. Dannel Malloy.

The "overwhelming demand" prompted the state to provide additional service on June 17, according to a press release issued by Malloy's office. Amtrak also added an extra afternoon train out of Springfield, Massachusetts, to accommodate riders, the Hartford Courant reported.

 

Continue here.

 

[CNJRoss]

CT Governor news release:

 

06/17/2018

Gov. Malloy: Free Travel Weekend on Hartford Line Rail Service Attracts Over 10,300 Train Riders on First Day 

 

Due to Significant Demand, Extra Service will be Added Sunday

 

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that over 10,300 people rode the CTrail Hartford Line during its opening day of service on Saturday, June 16. Travel on the new rail service is free for all customers on opening weekend and continues through Sunday, June 17. Because of the significant demand on opening day, additional service will be added on Sunday.

 

“After decades of talk it’s finally here, and the large number of people riding the train on Saturday shows that there is considerable interest in this service,” Governor Malloy said. “We built this rail line because of the economic development potential that it can attract, and the thousands of people who rode the line on Saturday shows the business community exactly what they can expect to see if they relocate to any area near the Hartford Line corridor.”

 

“We saw extraordinary interest in Hartford Line on the first day of service,” Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker said. “Although the trains were crowded, the excitement was palpable, which could be seen on the many smiling faces. Given the overwhelming demand we experienced Saturday, we are redoubling our efforts to provide more seats and extra service Sunday.”

 

Peter Pan Bus Lines and DATTCO are honoring Hartford Line rail tickets between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield this weekend. Customers should show their rail ticket to the bus driver when boarding.

 

Amtrak will also operate additional service between Springfield and New Haven tomorrow. Customers should look for CTrail ambassadors in red shirts at the train stations to assist with travel options.

 

CTDOT has also arranged for standby buses to be dispatched as needed to ensure all customers get where they need to go in a reasonable timeframe.

 

“Today’s enthusiastic ridership response from the public is very encouraging,” CTDOT Public Transportation Chief Rich Andreski said. “We also are very optimistic about the positive economic benefits already happening in the communities located in and around each train station. There’s some tremendous momentum that’s happening, and the New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield corridor is already starting to benefit.”

 

The CTrail Hartford Line is the first new passenger rail service to open in Connecticut in nearly three decades. The Hartford Line connects commuters to existing rail services in New Haven that allow for easy connections to Boston, New York City, and beyond, including the New Haven Line (Metro-North), Shore Line East, Amtrak Acela and Northeast Regional services. CTtransit local bus service is also available at most stations along the line, and connections to the CTfastrak bus rapid transit system is available in Hartford.

 

Stations along the line from north to south include New Haven Union Station, New Haven State Street, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford, Windsor, Windsor Locks, and Springfield, Massachusetts. Trains run approximately every 45 minutes during the morning and evening peak periods. Fares along the line vary depending on place of origin and destination. The fare between Hartford and New Haven is just $8.00.

 

For information about the CTrail Hartford Line, visit www.hartfordline.com, connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/hartfordline, through Twitter at @hartfordline, or through Instagram @hartfordlinect.

 

[KevinKorell]

Connecticut Mirror, 6/18/18:

 

 

Hartford line hoopla ends, and new commuting era begins

 

 

Bronx resident Thomas Rome would regularly crisscross between New York City and Hartford by car for nearly three hours to practice as a lawyer at his two offices. On Monday, Rome said his life completely changed when he joined other weekday commuters in riding CTRail’s newly launched Hartford Line.

 

 

Read this story.

[KevinKorell]

Hartford, CT Courant, 6/18/18:

 

 

Connecticut Commuters Head To Work On New Hartford Line's First Daily Rail Service

 

 

Daily service on the much-anticipated New Haven to Springfield CTrail commuter line began Monday with light traffic and no major hiccups.

 

Here is that story.

[KevinKorell]

E-mail from New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail program:

 

 

 

Newly Launched Hartford Line Attracted 21,850 Riders Opening Weekend

 

(HARTFORD, CT) – On June 18th, Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced that the CTrail Hartford Line attracted a total of 21,850 riders over the course of its two-day opening weekend of service, during which travel was free to celebrate the launch. Sunday attracted a phenomenal response of 11,550 riders, surpassing the 10,300 who rode the train on its opening day of service, June 16th.

“There’s undoubtedly a sense of excitement about this long-overdue train service,” Governor Malloy said. “We also recognize that a new rail line like this takes time to grow and become part of the everyday lives of the residents of Central Connecticut. This weekend showed that the potential is there. What we must remember is that this is not just about transit – it’s about building vibrant communities and continuing to make Connecticut a more attractive place to live, visit, and do business.”

Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) “red shirt” ambassadors greeted and assisted the thousands of customers a stations up and down the line throughout the weekend.

“People were making trips to numerous activities that were happening throughout the region this weekend, including the New Haven Arts and Ideas festival, the Hartford Yard Goats game, the block party in Hartford, or just taking the opportunity to take a round trip to experience the new service,” DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said. “Additional trains and buses were operated to accommodate all of the trips on the system throughout the weekend.”

 

Click here to view the full press release.