Shore Line East, a commuter rail line that serves several southern Connecticut towns largely east of New Haven, expanded its service this month after it was cut around a year ago.
On Oct. 7, four new trains were added — less than the seven cut last December — and one existing train’s route was extended to Stamford. The new trains run eastbound and westbound, with each route getting one new train in the early morning and one at night.
The additional trains follow lawmakers’ decision earlier this year to allocate $5 million of expiring American Rescue Plan Act funds to the rail line.
Shore Line East ridership sank during the COVID-19 pandemic and has yet to recover, according to Department of Transportation data. The data shows that the number of monthly rides throughout 2022, 2023 and the first eight months of 2024 has remained at around 27 to 29% of 2019 levels.
Advocates have argued that declining ridership is a symptom of reduced service.
Here’s what to know about riding Shore Line East.
Which Connecticut towns does Shore Line East serve?
Trains run between New Haven’s and New London’s Union Stations, making several stops along the Connecticut shoreline. They service New Haven’s State Street Station, Branford, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook and Old Saybrook.
The rail line also offers direct weekday service to Stamford, with a westbound train departing New London at 5:46 a.m. and arriving in Stamford at 7:53 a.m. An eastbound train departs Stamford at 4:13 p.m. and arrives in New London at 6:25 p.m.
Can I connect to other train lines from Shore Line East?
Yes. At New Haven Union Station riders can connect to Metro-North’s New Haven Line, which stops in several southwestern Connecticut towns before continuing into New York City.
The Hartford Line, which takes passengers up central Connecticut and into Springfield, Mass., begins at New Haven Union Station. And Amtrak trains that take passengers throughout the Northeast stop at that station as well.
Connections to Metro-North and Amtrak are available in Stamford as well, and Amtrak also services New London.
How often do Shore Line East trains run?
Eastbound and westbound trains run seven days a week, with weekday service beginning before 6 a.m. Both routes have five trains that depart periodically before noon, then five more that run in the afternoon and into the night.
On weekends, three trains depart New London in the morning, three more leave in the afternoon/evening, and two depart at night. Four trains leave New Haven on weekend mornings, two depart in the afternoon and two leave at night.
A full Shore Line East schedule is available on the train line’s website. Riders can search departure and arrival times for their individual route on the website as well.
How much do train tickets cost?
Ticket prices vary based on the length of a trip, and generally increase by 75 cents per stop for all stops east of New Haven. For example, a one-way trip from Old Saybrook to New Haven is $7.50, while a one-way trip from Westbook — the next station — to New Haven is $6.75.
A one-way ticket from New London to Stamford — one end of Shore Line East to the other — is $19.50, while a one-way ticket from New London to New Haven is $10.75.
Ten-trip and monthly passes are also available. Full pricing details can be found on Shore Line East’s website.
Shore Line East doesn’t increase its prices during peak travel times, but passengers connecting to Metro-North will pay more during peak travel times for the Metro-North leg of their trip. Peak fares are generally charged on trains that arrive in New York City from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and depart the city between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
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