The summer months are often characterized by outdoor fun, time off from work or school and getting back to the simpler things. Hearing the Beach Boys, the quintessential summer group, sing “Round, round get around, I get around,” reminded me that a report on changes to Connecticut’s transportation scene was in order.
CT Rail and Metro-North Fare Increases
In July, the Connecticut Department of Transportation announced at a press conference that rail fares in the state would increase by 10%, administered in two doses, by 2026. The first, a 5% increase, went into effect on Sept. 1.
“These fare increases will help maintain existing rail service levels by keeping the same number of trains on the schedule for our customers,” CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto told the press.
The increase affects customers on all three of Connecticut’s rail lines. A complete one-way journey on the Hartford Line, from New Haven to Springfield, now costs $14 — up from $13.25. On the New Haven Line, a one-way ticket from New Haven to Grand Central has grown to $19.25 off-peak and $26 peak.
However, students using their U-Pass to travel in-state will be unaffected, as those rides remain free. For travel to New York, the fare from Greenwich to Grand Central now costs $11 off-peak and $15 peak – a small increase from the former $10.50 off-peak and $14.25 peak fare. (Why two prices? Check out the Daily Campus’s guide on train travel for the scoop on off-peak vs peak fares.)
The second 5% fare increase will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
Amtrak Unveils “Next-Gen” Acela
Aug. 28 saw the maiden voyage of new equipment on the Acela Express service, a high-speed train which travels between Boston and Washington, DC. It makes two stops in Connecticut: New Haven and Stamford.
The original Acela trains went into service in 2000, going at a relatively fast 150 miles per hour. After a 2016 federal purchase, French manufacturer Alstom built 28 “Avelia Liberty” trainsets for Acela use, with an initial improved speed rating of 160 miles per hour. If infrastructure improvements on the Northeast Corridor are completed, the new trains could achieve 186 miles per hour.
The “speed factor” is partially inhibited in Connecticut and New York because the route has more curves and shoreline bridges, plus the trackage is owned by and shared with the MTA. (It’s always been a saga.) Next-Gen Acela speeds will likely top out between 85 and 100 miles per hour in Connecticut, according to Amtrak.
“Next-Gen Acela is more than a new train — it’s an evolution of travel,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris in the new service announcement in August. The new trains were originally expected to start service in 2021.
The passenger cars used on the first-generation Acela are still in use but will most likely be converted for the Northeast Regional service eventually.
Acela does not feature coach class and is not eligible for use with U-Pass.
Under Construction: New Stations and Improvements
A number of Connecticut train stations are getting rebuilt and improved.
All six stations on the Waterbury Branch will see major station projects as part of a $140 million state program: new stations are being constructed in Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Seymour, and Ansonia — and the historic station buildings at Waterbury and Derby-Shelton are being refurbished alongside similar platform enhancements. They’re expected to be open in 2027.
The new stations will feature long, covered high-level platforms, improved shelter space, real-time messaging, ticket VTMs and improved accessibility. Most Waterbury Branch stations were originally built as temporary facilities with little more than a small bus shelter; the new stations will be located at the current sites except for Naugatuck, which is being relocated to a central downtown location.
Windsor Locks, on the Hartford Line, will also enjoy a new station — to be open very soon. Years in the making, the new Windsor Locks station will include a single high-level platform and amenities in line with other stations on the line, at a site south of the current park-and-ride — closer to downtown. Designs to add a light rail link to Bradley International Airport from the new station have also started being conceived.
The current station is the smallest in Connecticut.
Minor projects to New Haven Line stops Darien, East Norwalk and Greenwich — plus New Haven Union Station — have progressed at various stages. Plans to add transit-oriented development, improve retail and parking space are being discussed and proposed.
WRTD and CT Transit Bus Service Updates
The Windham Region Transit District announced some minor adjustments to local bus service, including moving the stop at Ash and Foster Streets on Route 674A and a new stop at the Standard at Four Corners apartment complex for Routes 675 and 676. The adjustments follow significant changes to WRTD routes in March.
WRTD will also publish notifications, such as specific route cancellations, on their Twitter page.
A number of CT Transit service changes have gone into effect as of Aug. 24. Many bus routes have added or enhanced their services.
Of regional note is a change to Route 918, which has discontinued the on-street bus stop at the corner of Main and Bank Streets in favor of a stop at the nearby Windham Intermodal Transportation Center. The change also affects Peter Pan’s Hartford-Providence bus, which makes an additional stop at UConn.
Five buses were discontinued but were accommodated by changes to other routes or pre-existing companion services.
More information about CT Transit’s service changes can be found on their webpage. Other bus agencies may have also announced changes to their services, so be sure to check the relevant company’s channels.
Happy Travels
As more transportation news breaks, we’ll keep you covered. Hopefully you can get to where you need to go! If you haven’t already, check out the Daily Campus’ transportation guides too.
Bonus: The Beach Boys wrote a lot of songs about surfing, cars and other topics. Eight of their car-themed songs mention specific models. “In My Car” from 1988’s Still Crusin’ is maybe my favorite off that list.