{"id":3128,"date":"2018-06-27T09:29:25","date_gmt":"2018-06-27T13:29:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/?p=3128"},"modified":"2018-06-27T09:29:25","modified_gmt":"2018-06-27T13:29:25","slug":"hartford-line-ridership-tops-10000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/hartford-line-ridership-tops-10000\/","title":{"rendered":"Hartford Line Ridership Tops 10,000"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Project<\/p>\n

Gov. Malloy: Hartford Line Ridership Tops 10,000 in First Full Week of Regular Operations<\/h3>\n

(HARTFORD, CT) \u2013 Governor Dannel P. Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today that ridership on the new CTrail<\/em>\u00a0Hartford Line passenger rail service exceeded 10,719 customers during its first full week of regular operations from Monday, June 18 through Sunday, June 24, during which full-fare tickets were required. The service launched on Saturday, June 16, and was free for all riders on the first two days of operation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know that it will take some time for this new rail service to grow to full maturity and become part of the everyday lives of Connecticut residents, but there is definitely an excitement about this long-overdue train service,\u201d\u00a0Governor Malloy said<\/strong>. \u201cAt the end of the day, this transit service is about building vibrant communities that attract businesses, grow jobs, and make our state a more attractive place to live, visit, and do business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve spoken with scores of riders who have begun to use the Hartford Line and who are saying their commute has become much easier and less stressful,\u201d\u00a0CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said<\/strong>. \u201cWith easy access and connections with our CTtransit<\/em>\u00a0buses, we are opening up all kinds of options for getting around Connecticut \u2013 whether you\u2019re going to work, to school, or simply playing the role of tourist.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 weekday morning and evening peak periods.<\/p>\n

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<\/em>\u00a0local bus service is also available at most stations along the line, and connections to the CTfastrak<\/em>\u00a0bus rapid transit system is available in Hartford.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best part of riding the new Hartford Line was seeing and feeling the excitement in the air,\u201d\u00a0Lisa Biesak of the Making Meriden business center in downtown Meriden said<\/strong>. \u201cFolks across all demographics could see the possibilities the new train line will bring. Whether it\u2019s access to employment centers or recreational travel or seeing opportunity right here in Meriden, you can feel the buzz around town.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife and two children took the train and we were impressed by the crowds,\u201d\u00a0James Varano, owner of Black-Eyed Sally\u2019s Restaurant in Hartford, said<\/strong>. \u201cMy servers said they couldn\u2019t believe how many of our guests said they took the train here. This will really help Hartford businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are thrilled to have the new rail service here,\u201d\u00a0Jody Ferrer, owner of the Perfect Promotion in West Hartford, said<\/strong>. \u201cIt\u2019s comfortable, clean, and direct to the places we travel. We always drive to New Haven \u2013 now we can take the train. And our children come in from New York. Now we don\u2019t have to pick them up and drop them off in New Haven.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new CTrail<\/em>\u00a0Hartford Line extends many benefits to Connecticut, including:<\/p>\n