Faster trains and travel time improvements in CT
It's time for better rail service in Connecticut. The hard work of preparing a rail plan is now done. All that is needed are funding and your support. Now is the time for action. Now is the TIME FOR CT.
Estimated Travel Time Savings by 2035
With additional funding, trains can operate 10 minutes faster between New Haven and New York City as early as 2022. With a faster train, a daily commuter could save up to 82 hours a year.
Connecticut's New Haven Line serves 40 million people annually. It's an economic engine for the state. Travel time has been growing longer in recent decades, a source of frustration for many.
The success of the state, its attractiveness as a place to do business, and the quality of life of its residents all depend on safe, reliable, and fast train service.
Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) recently completed the first ever comprehensive analysis of the New Haven Line to determine what can be done now to speed-up service. The study recommends a robust investment program of $8-10 billion to rebuild the railroad for faster service, reducing trips times by as much as 25 minutes for CTrail, Metro-North, and Amtrak.
The hard work of preparing a rail plan is now done. All that is needed are funding and your support. Now is the time for action. Now is the TIME FOR CT.
Service
It's time for better rail service in Connecticut. Faster and more direct service with better connections within Connecticut and to New York City will attract more people from cars to trains and strengthen the regional ecomony.
Efforts to improve rail service are already in progress. The study team reviewed every train trip in the New Haven Line schedule and met extensively with Metro-North and Amtrak to gain insight into day-to-day operations.
With additional funding, trains can operate 10 minutes faster between New Haven and New York City as early as 2022. With a faster train, a daily commuter could save up to 82 hours a year.
Estimated Travel Time Savings by 2035
New Haven to Bridgeport
service today
26 minutes
by 2035
20 minutes
time savings
6 minutes
Bridgeport to Stamford
service today
34 minutes
by 2035
23 minutes
time savings
12 minutes
Stamford to New York City
service today
52 minutes
by 2035
45 minutes
time savings
7 minutes
Infrastructure
It's time to invest in the great rail infrastructure Connecticut already has. We need to bring the railroad to a state of good repair and beyond -- rebuilding it in a way that will be transformational for all providers that use the tracks -- enabling faster speeds on CTrail, Metro-North, and Amtrak trains.
The study team conducted a foot-by-foot investigation of the railroad between New Haven and Greenwich and identified opportunities to significantly speed-up service by repairing and improving existing infrastructure.
The planning and coordination that has already taken place will yeild near-term benefits. It is realistic lan that requires no new rights-of-way or major permitting, only funding.
New Rail Fleet
It's time for riders in Connecticut to feel that their train rides are the most productive and comfortable part of their day. New rail cars will provide a modern, connected onboard customer experience. Fully accessible cars, spacious seating with powered outlets and Wi-Fi, and work tables and task lighting are just some of the amenities customers can expect. The expandable rail fleet will enable new express services from every rail line to New York City including new direct service to Penn Station.
Connecticut's first ever comprehensive speed analysis of the New Haven Line has laid the groundwork for improvements that will resonate across the state's rail network. Fine-tuning service planning to meet the needs of all riders, continuing to fix major infrastructure, and investing in new rail cars to elevate the commuting experience will move Connecticut forward. Many residents share a vision for Connecticut's future that includes a strengthened economy, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and a continued commitment to social equity -- TIME FOR CT supports all of these goals. Investing $8-$10 billion in our state's rail program not only will brighten Connecticut's future but also will strengthen the entire Northeast region.
TIME FOR CT is a well-grounded, researched plan that can be delivered with funding. IT is foundational to future transformational investments in higher-speed rail.