CT Rail
{{Short description|Commuter rail in Connecticut, USA}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| name = CT Rail
| image = CT Rail logo black.svg
| imagesize = 218px
| image2 = {{Photomontage
|photo1a= Hartford Line Train.jpg
|photo1b= A westbound train departs OSB.jpg
|photo2a= Shore Line East train at New London, June 2022.JPG
|photo2b= New CTrail signage at State Street station, December 2017.JPG
|size=290
|border=0
|color=
}}
| imagesize2 =
| caption2 = From top-left: GP40-3H at Hartford, Mafersa coaches at Old Saybrook, Kawasaki M8 at New London, and signage at State Street station
| owner = Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT)
| locale = Connecticut and Western Massachusetts
| transit_type = Commuter rail
| lines = 2
| stations = 22
| ridership = 4,255 (2019)
| annual_ridership = 1,410,500 (2019)
| began_operation = 1990
| operator = TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts (Hartford Line)
Amtrak (Shore Line East)
| marks = CNDX
| character =
| chief_executive =
| headquarters =
| system_length = {{convert|121|mi}}
| track_gauge = {{Track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}
| el =
| map = {{Switcher
| {{Rapid transit OSM map|system_qid=Q105960269|frame-width=275|frame-height=275}}
| Show interactive map
| 275 px
| Show static map
| {{CTrail|inline=y}}
| Show route diagram map
}}
| map_state = collapsed
| website = {{URL|ctrail.com}}
}}
CT Rail, stylized as CTrail, is the brand for commuter rail services overseen by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), in the U.S. state of Connecticut, with services on the Hartford Line extending into Massachusetts. CTDOT oversees two lines: Shore Line East, between New Haven and New London, Connecticut, and the Hartford Line, from New Haven, through Hartford, to Springfield, Massachusetts.{{Cite web|title=Office of Rails|url=https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Publictrans/Office-of-Rail/Office-of-Rails|access-date=2021-03-12|website=CT.gov – Connecticut's Official State Website|language=en}}
Services are operated under contract, with Shore Line East operated by Amtrak along the Northeast Corridor, and the Hartford Line operated by a joint venture of TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts.{{Cite web|title=CTrail|url=https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/Publictrans/Bureau-of-Public-Transportation/CTrail|access-date=2021-03-12|website=CT.gov – Connecticut's Official State Website|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2018-06-14|title=Launch of New Hartford Passenger Line Part of 'Train Renaissance'|url=https://today.uconn.edu/2018/06/launch-new-hartford-passenger-line-part-train-renaissance/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=UConn Today|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=Hartford Line {{!}} Service Provider|url=https://www.hartfordline.com/about/service_provider.aspx|access-date=2021-03-13|website=www.hartfordline.com}} CT Rail trains, along with other CTDOT rail operations, use the reporting mark CNDX.{{Cite web|title=AAR Railroad Reporting Marks (2021)|url=https://www.railserve.com/aar_railroad_reporting_marks.html#C|access-date=2021-03-13|website=www.railserve.com}}
Lines
CT Rail operates two commuter rail lines: the Hartford Line and Shore Line East. Both lines utilize portions of the Northeast Corridor, with trains terminating at Union Station in New Haven.{{Cite web|title=Hartford Line {{!}} Route & Stations {{!}} Service Map|url=https://www.hartfordline.com/route_stations/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=www.hartfordline.com}}
= Hartford Line =
{{Main|Hartford Line}}
The Hartford Line runs between New Haven Union Station in New Haven, Connecticut and Springfield Union Station in Springfield, Massachusetts, running through Hartford, Connecticut. Ten CT Rail round trips operate on weekdays, and six on weekends. This service is supplemented by eight additional roundtrips run by the Amtrak Hartford Line, which operates along the same route. CT Rail Hartford Line tickets are accepted on the Amtrak Hartford Line, and vice versa; however, the Vermonter inter-city service does not participate despite running along the same route. This line is a joint venture between the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).{{Cite web|date=2018-06-19|title=Connecticut bets big with Hartford Line|url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/connecticut-dot-opens-hartford-line/|access-date=2021-03-13|website=Railway Age|language=en-US}} The line is not electrified and is a mostly double track route that uses diesel locomotives. Service began on June 16, 2018. The majority of the Hartford Line's route is along the New Haven–Springfield Line, with two stations in New Haven, Union Station and State Street, being on the Northeast Corridor.
= Shore Line East =
{{Main|Shore Line East}}
CT Rail's Shore Line East commuter rail service runs between New London and New Haven. Ten round trips operate on weekdays, and eight on weekends. Limited weekday service extends along Metro North's New Haven Line to Stamford. When service initially started along the line on May 29, 1990, Shore Line East commuter trains were intended to be a temporary measure in order to reduce congestion along Interstate 95 during a highway construction project. However, the service was made permanent due to more ridership than initially anticipated. Pre-COVID, the line had an average daily ridership of about 2,100 riders. It runs along the Northeast Corridor for its entire length. Since May 2022, Shore Line East has used Kawasaki M8 electric multiple units to provide service on the line.
Rolling stock
= Current =
CT Rail uses the following rolling stock for its commuter rail operations: All Electric Multiple Unit cars are used on the electrified Shore Line East running on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor while locomotive hauled trains with passenger coaches are used on Amtrak's non-electrified Hartford Line. M8 electric cars are shared between Shore Line East and Metro-North Railroad's New Haven Line.
= Future =
In August 2023, CTDOT approved a $315 million contract with Alstom for 60 single-level Adessia passenger cars. The cars will replace the existing coach fleet on the Hartford Line along with the Metro-North Waterbury Branch and Danbury Branch. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2026.{{Cite press release |title=Alstom to supply 60 single-level coach cars to the Connecticut Department of Transportation for its statewide rail system |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2023/8/alstom-supply-60-single-level-coach-cars-connecticut-department-transportation-its-statewide-rail-system |date=August 9, 2023 |publisher=Alstom |language=en}}{{cite press release |url=https://portal.ct.gov/DOT/CTDOT-Press-Releases/2023/Governor-Lamont-Announces-Purchase-of-60-New-Rail-Cars-to-Modernize-Commuter-Rail-Lines |title=Governor Lamont Announces Purchase of 60 New Rail Cars to Modernize Commuter Rail Lines |publisher=Connecticut Department of Transportation |date=August 9, 2023}}
= Retired =
See also
References
{{Northeast Corridor navbox}}
Category:Commuter rail in the United States