State and Federal Investments Drive Improvements to Hartford Rail Line

By Joe O’Leary

January 25 @ 5:00 am

As the CTrail Hartford Line continues to grow, seeing more than 750,000 passenger trips just in 2024, federal and state organizations continue to invest in the trains.

This month, Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut’s congressional delegation announced that new infusions of $11.6 million from the Federal Railroad Administration and $13.4 million from the state Department of Transportation will help the Hartford Line expand its services, providing increased reliability for anyone looking to travel from New Haven to Springfield, Massachusetts.

Under the Federal Railroad Administration’s Restoration and Enhancement Program, the Hartford Line will gain several additions to its schedule, most prominently a new weekday round trip from New Haven to Hartford. That will serve to support a service gap along the Hartford Line that can leave up to three hours between train trips.

In addition, four weekend trains that currently only operate schedules from Hartford to New Haven, two each on Saturdays and Sundays, will see service expanded to Windsor Locks in both directions. One weekday train that currently stops at Windsor Locks will also have its service expanded to Springfield.

There’s more to the new funding opportunities than just service expansions. Customer service hours at Hartford Union Station will increase by 75%, while there’s continued funding to maintain two weekday trains between New Haven and Springfield. Funds will also enhance connectivity of the existing rail services along the Northeast Corridor.

“The Hartford Line is not only providing a valuable and convenient public transit resource for people who live in central Connecticut, but it is also helping create new opportunities for economic growth and development in the towns it serves,” Lamont said. “Expanding service on this line will further make travel on this rail line even more convenient, and I appreciate President Biden and the FRA for partnering with our state to make this happen.”

Sen. Christine Cohen, a Guilford Democrat who co-chairs the legislature’s Transportation Committee, said the expansion would have benefits for the entire state.

“As we pursue new transit options to benefit Connecticut’s residents, I’m thrilled that we have secured these vital federal dollars and we can cheer their benefits to our state as a whole,” Cohen said. “This funding will cut down on traffic on our highways, reduce our state’s carbon footprint and provide transit opportunities that will help businesses, workers and municipalities increase connectivity.”

Since the CTrail Hartford Line went into service in 2018, it’s provided economic opportunities for residents and communities alike, with several train stations built and renovated to reflect its connectivity from Springfield to New Haven and the five additional municipalities served on its route.

Expanding and enhancing the Hartford Line is projected to increase ridership by up to 90,000 people per year, save motorists more than 100 million miles, reduce fuel emissions by 3.5 million gallons and reduce carbon emissions by 25,000 metric tons per year.