NEWS AND NOTICES

Attention Shore Line East Riders:

The August 2019 Issue of the CTrail Shore Line East Newsletter is available here.

Past issues are available in our archive:

• December 2018
• November 2018

Have a story you'd like us to cover in a future issue? We'd like to hear from you. Just email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Newsletter."

Thanks for being a Shore Line East customer!

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

A new CTrail Shore Line East schedule will take effect Monday, August 5, 2019. Details are as follows:

• Amtrak will be concluding their major track work program between New Haven and Branford, allowing CTrail Shore Line East to return to normal service.
• Trains 1646, 1649, and 1681 will be returning to normal train service instead of bus substitutions.
• Train 1606 has been returned to regular service. Amtrak 190 will no longer be making stops at Branford, Guilford, and Westbrook. Only SLE Multi-Ride Tickets are accepted on Amtrak 190 for travel to Old Saybrook and New London.
• SLE trains 1699 and 3699 do NOT have Metro-North connections.
• Double-check the schedule for any other possible minor train time changes.
• Refer to New Haven Line schedules for New Haven Line schedule changes.
• Select Amtrak trains allow cross-honoring of CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets.
• Students at participating U-Pass CT schools can use the U-Pass aboard ALL CTrail Shore Line East trains. U-Pass is NOT accepted aboard any Amtrak train, including those trains listed on the schedule that accept CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets. More details at CTrides.com/u-pass.
• Sign up for text and email alerts at www.ShoreLineEast.com/service-alerts.
• New CTrail Shore Line East schedule available here.

Highlights

• CTrail Shore Line East will run the published schedule with the exception of the through trains to Stamford which will not operate west of New Haven the week of July 1-5. SLE trains 1633, 1637, 1610, 1640, and 1644 will operate between New Haven Union Station and Old Saybrook/New London only
  
• CTrail Shore Line East special train 1642 and New Haven Line special trains 3536, 3538, 3540, 3542, and 3568 will NOT run on July 3
• CTrail Shore Line East train 1640 WILL run on July 3
• New Canaan Branch trains will be bused beginning the evening of June 28 through July 7

Other Schedule Impacts

Monday July 1 through Wednesday July 3:

• Reduced weekday service on the New Haven Line (Metro-North)
• Amtrak will operate a reduced weekday service
• New Canaan Branch will be bused
• New Haven Line trains 1568 and 1572 WILL run on July 3
• New Haven Line getaway trains will NOT run on July 3

Thursday July 4:

• New Haven Line (Metro-North) will operate a normal Sunday schedule except for the New Canaan Branch
• Amtrak will operate on a Saturday schedule
• New Canaan Branch will be bused

Friday July 5:

• Reduced weekday service on the New Haven Line (Metro-North)
• New Canaan Branch will be bused
• Amtrak will operate a Saturday schedule

Saturday July 6 and Sunday July 7:

• Normal Saturday/Sunday schedule on the New Haven Line except for New Canaan Branch
• New Canaan Branch will be bused
• Amtrak operates normal weekend service

Monday July 8:

• New Haven Line begins their summer schedule, CTrail Shore Line East will continue to run the published schedule effective April 14, 2019

For more information and details visit www.mta.info/mnr.

CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule for Independence Day, Thursday, July 4, 2019, and a regular weekday schedule on Friday, July 5, 2019.

Please refer to the weekend/holiday schedule for all CTrail Shore Line East trains. The full CTrail Shore Line East schedule can be viewed here.

Please note that Metro-North connections will operate on a Weekday schedule - Please refer to CTrail New Haven Line schedule for special train times.

CTrail Hartford Line will also operate on a Saturday schedule for July 4 and July 5 - Please refer to the Saturday schedule for all CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak trains.

The CTrail monthly ticket presale date has been changed to the 25th of each month. This will provide consistency with Metro-North who has already implemented this change.

This change impacts all of the CTrail ticketing systems:

• Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs)
• CTrail eTix
• Sales for monthly CTrail Hartford Line and CTrail Shore Line East tickets
• CTrail Hartford Line and CTrail Shore Line East plus CTrail New Haven Line UniRail monthly tickets

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

For the remainder of today, Friday, June 7:

All westbound trains will be boarding on Track 1 at Branford Station.

All eastbound trains will be boarding on Track 2 at Branford Station.

The full CTrail Shore Line East schedule can be viewed here.

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

Track assignments at Branford Station will be changing beginning this weekend due to ongoing construction. All CTrail Shore Line East trains will board on BOTH tracks throughout the day on Saturday, June 8 and Sunday, June 9. Please refer to announcement posters detailing track assignments at Branford station.

Beginning Monday, June 10 ALL CTrail Shore Line East trains will only board on Track 1 (northern side furthest from the parking lot) at Branford station. All Shore Line East bus replacement service will continue on the Track 2 side (southern side, closest to the parking lot) of Branford station.

The full CTrail Shore Line East schedule can be viewed here.

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers:

CTrail Shore Line East will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule for Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, 2019.

Please refer to the weekend/holiday schedule for all CTrail Shore Line East trains. The full CTrail Shore Line East schedule can be viewed here.

Metro-North connections will operate on a Sunday schedule. Please refer to CTrail New Haven Line schedule for special train times.

CTrail Hartford Line will also operate on a Sunday schedule. Please refer to the Sunday schedule for all CTrail Hartford Line and Amtrak trains.

A new CTrail Shore Line East schedule is in effect as of Sunday, April 14, 2019. Details are as follows:

• Amtrak will continue a major track work program between New Haven and Branford, affecting both CTrail Shore Line East and Amtrak customers.
• Certain weekday SLE trains will continue to be replaced by bus service. Look for the BUS icon on the SLE schedule. Weekend trains are not affected at this time.
• Trains 1621, 1602, and 1632 will be returning to normal train service instead of bus substitutions.
• Train 1606 has been removed from the schedule. Amtrak 190 will be making additional stops at Branford, Guilford, and Westbrook to accommodate this change . All SLE tickets will be accepted onboard Amtrak 190. Please purchase tickets prior to boarding. Ticket sales will not be permitted onboard the train.
• SLE trains 1699 and 3699 do NOT have a Metro-North connection. Customers should take an earlier train to confirm travel beyond New Haven.
• Double-check the schedule for any other possible minor train time changes.
• Please be aware of changes to the station platform boarding track designations at the Branford station. Boarding track designations are subject to change and will be posted at the station.
• Refer to CTrail New Haven Line schedules for NHL schedule changes.
• Select Amtrak trains allow cross-honoring of CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets.
• Students at participating U-Pass CT schools can use the U-Pass aboard ALL CTrail Shore Line East trains. U-Pass is NOT accepted aboard any Amtrak train, including those trains listed on the schedule that accept CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets. More details at CTrides.com/u-pass.
• New CTrail Shore Line East schedule available here.

Reminder:

As of Tuesday, January 22, 2019, six weekday trains will be restored to the CTrail Shore Line East schedule, replacing scheduled bus service that has been operating since April 2018. Additionally, two Friday-only trains will now operate every weekday to provide customers with additional travel options.

The following SLE trains will be reinstated on Tuesday, January 22:

Westbound to New Haven:

• SLE Train 1627 – will depart Old Saybrook at 5:37 AM and arrive in New Haven at 6:22 AM.
• SLE Train 1645 – will depart Old Saybrook at 7:50 AM and arrive in New Haven at 8:35 AM.
• SLE Train 1675 – will now operate daily, departing Old Saybrook at 3:05 PM and arrive in New Haven at 3:45 PM.
• SLE Train 1687 – will depart Old Saybrook at 6:13 PM and arrive in New Haven at 6:54 PM.

Eastbound to Old Saybrook:

• SLE Train 1604 – will depart New Haven at 6:55 AM and arrive in Old Saybrook at 7:36 AM.
• SLE Train 1626 – will now operate daily, departing New Haven at 2:10 PM and arrive in Old Saybrook at 2:58 PM.
• SLE Train 1638 – will depart New Haven at 5:10 PM and arrive in Old Saybrook at 5:56 PM.
• SLE Train 1656 – will depart New Haven at 7:11 PM and arrive in Old Saybrook at 7:56 PM.

Additional Schedule Change Information:

• Select weekday SLE trains will continue to be replaced by bus service. Look for BUS designation on SLE timetables.
• Double-check the schedule for possible minor train time changes.
• Refer to New Haven Line schedules for New Haven Line schedule changes.
• Select Amtrak trains allow cross-honoring of CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets.
• Students at participating U-Pass CT schools can use U-Pass aboard ALL CTrail Shore Line East trains. It is NOT accepted aboard any Amtrak train, including those trains listed on the schedule that accept SLE Multi-Ride tickets. Details at CTrides.com/u-pass.

Read the full DOT release here.

Click here to view the SLE schedule effective 1/22/19.

CTrail Shore Line East customers are urged to check the service website at www.ShoreLineEast.com or call 877-287-4337 for the latest information.

The Old Saybrook Station building has been partially reopened for ticket purchases only. We are working with our transportation partner Amtrak to fully reopen the station building as soon as possible; we apologize for the inconvenience.

Click here to view the current CTrail Shore Line East timetable.

Due to construction, the Old Saybrook Station building will be closed until further notice. During this time, customers can still board trains at Old Saybrook, but tickets must be purchased on the train. We are working with our transportation partner Amtrak to reopen the station building as soon as possible; we apologize for the inconvenience.

Click here to view the current CTrail Shore Line East timetable.

Reminder to CTrail Shore Line East Riders:

Don't forget to sign up for service alerts to be delivered to you via text, email, or Twitter! Sign up at our service alerts page.

Signing up is fast and easy, and customizable to any trains or stations you use regularly.

Thanks for being a CTrail Shore Line East customer!

Attention CTrail Shore Line East Customers - Holiday Schedule Updates:

We want to wish our customers a safe and happy holiday season! CTrail Shore Line East will be running weekend/holiday schedules for the holidays. Please reference the schedules listed below:

• Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25 - trains will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule.
• Monday, December 31 - trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
• Tuesday, January 1 - trains will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule.

Click here to view the current CTrail Shore Line East timetable.

Attention Shore Line East Riders:

Issue 2 of News From The Rails newsletter is available here.

Read Issue 1 here.

Have a story you'd like us to cover in a future issue? We'd like to hear from you. Just email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line "Newsletter."

Thanks for being a Shore Line East customer!

CTrail Shore Line East will operate a weekend/holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2018 and the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 23, 2018.

The full CTrail Shore Line East schedule can be viewed here.

Now arriving... the News From The Rails newsletter! The newsletter gives CTrail Shore Line East customers a closer look at what is being done to ensure safe, reliable service on the rails.

Click here to read the first edition.

A new CTrail Shore Line East timetable will take effect Monday, October 29, 2018.

The following are notes regarding the new schedule:

• Select weekday SLE trains will be replaced by bus service. Look for BUS designation on SLE timetables. Weekend trains are not affected by bus substitutions at this time.
  
  
• The following bus substitutions will return to train service:
  • 1671 Westbound (arr. New Haven 2:42 PM)
  • 1622 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 1:08 PM)
  • 1668 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 8:00 PM)
  • 1670 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 8:15 PM)
    
    
• The following trains will continue to be serviced by bus substitutions:
  • 1621 Westbound (arr. New Haven 5:50 AM)
  • 1627 Westbound (arr. New Haven 6:17 AM)
  • 1645 Westbound (arr. New Haven 8:30 AM)
  • 1649 Westbound (arr. New Haven 8:55 AM)
  • 1675 Westbound (arr. New Haven 4:00 PM)
  • 1687 Westbound (arr. New Haven 7:10 PM)
  • 1602 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 6:25 AM)
  • 1604 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 6:55 AM)
  • 1626 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 2:17 PM)
  • 1638 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 5:16 PM)
  • 1656 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 7:17 PM)
    
    
• The following trains will also be substituted by bus service:
  • 1681 Westbound (arr. New Haven 5:15 PM)
  • 1632 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 3:24 PM)
  • 1646 Eastbound (dep. New Haven 6:45 PM)
    
    
• Amtrak will conclude a major track work undercutting program between New Haven and Old Saybrook before the new schedule goes into effect.
  
  
• Please be aware of the changes in the station platform boarding track designations:
  • Early Morning Westbound trains (before 10:30 AM) will board on track 2 for Branford, Madison, Clinton and Westbrook, and track 4 for Guilford.
  • Early Morning Eastbound trains (before 10:30 AM) will board on track 1 for Branford, Guilford and Westbrook.
    
    
• Please check our stations page for each station's bus pickup and dropoff location.
  
  
• Double-check the schedule for possible minor train time changes.
  
  
• Refer to New Haven Line schedules for NHL schedule changes.
  
  
• Select Amtrak trains allow cross-honoring of CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets. In addition to existing Amtrak cross-honored trains, additional Amtrak trains will provide cross-honoring service for CTrail Shore Line East Customers with a monthly, weekly or ten trip ticket between 10/22-11/16. More information available here.
  
  
• Students at participating U-Pass CT schools can use the U-Pass aboard ALL CTrail Shore Line East trains. It is NOT accepted aboard any Amtrak train, including those trains listed on the schedule that accept CTrail Shore Line East Multi-Ride tickets. More details at CTrides.com/u-pass.

Download NEW Schedule Effective October 29 2018 Here

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced that CTrail Shore Line East (SLE) November monthly passes will be valid through December 31, 2018.  

CTDOT also announced an expansion of Amtrak’s cross honoring program, which entitles CTrail Shore Line East monthly, weekly and ten-trip multi-ride ticket holders to ride Amtrak trains between New London, Old Saybrook and New Haven.

In addition to existing Amtrak cross-honored trains, the Amtrak trains below will provide cross-honoring service for CTrail Shore Line East Customers with a monthly, weekly or ten trip ticket between 10/22-11/16:

Trains to New Haven

• 173 - Departing New London at 1:05 pm
• 137 - Departing New London at 3:07 pm
• 175 - Departing New London at 4:52 pm
• 177 - Departing New London at 7:15 pm
• 179 - Departing New London at 8:17 pm

Trains to New London

• 172 - Departing New Haven Union Station at 12:57 pm
• 86 - Departing New Haven Union Station at 2:10 pm

Passengers are advised to visit www.amtrak.com for detailed scheduling information.

This announcement continues the campaign that was announced on September 18 to restore reliable CTrail Shore Line East service.

Amtrak, under contract with the CTDOT, has continued the extended shifts at their New Haven Rail Yard maintenance shop seven days a week in order to repair out-of-service locomotives and rail cars. In recent weeks, Amtrak has provided additional locomotives to replace locomotives that are under repair and sent locomotives to out of state Amtrak facilities to reduce the repair backlog.

Further progress is being made to improve customer communications. CTrides, which provides CTrail Shore Line East customer service, has extended their call center hours until 7 pm on weeknights. Customers are encouraged to call or email customer service with any continuing concerns, so appropriate steps can be taken.

The CTDOT management staff has been riding CTrail Shore Line East trains to monitor the rail line and to listen to customers’ feedback and concerns. Customers have noticed cleaner trains, but indicate communication regarding service delays needs to improve greatly. In the near future, customers will be able to sign up to receive customized service alerts by text or email to stay informed of the status of their CTrail Shore Line East train. CTDOT is also exploring how existing digital signs at stations can be used to provide real-time information.

View the official Connecticut Department of Transportation news release HERE.