A Rail Line in Dire Need
A recent article in the Stamford Advocate outlined research done by ConnDOT on ways to save money in their rail operations. Questioned in a committee hearing by State Representative Nuccio (R-53), the Commissioner of the DOT, Garret Eucalitto replied with an outline for replacing the new electric trains running on the Shore Line East rail line with the old diesel rolling stock.
In 2022 Shore Line East received brand new M8 trainsets, the exact same ones used on the Metro North New Haven Line. This created a continuous electric commuter rail system on the Connecticut coastline for the first time in history. At no point in history could any passenger walk off an electric train from New York Grand Central and onto another one to reach a local station on the eastern coastline. A monumental accomplishment that went unnoticed by many of the half-million riders that the new trains have carried since they entered service just 4 years ago. The new rolling stock has been loved by riders and was touted as a new beginning for the rail service and to quote Senator Blumenthal and Governor Lamont: “These cars will make Connecticut the cleanest, safest, quickest and most comfortable of lines in the country,” (Blumenthal) “This is a state that’s ideally suited for great rail service. Now they are all electric. It is faster, it is a lot more comfortable” (Lamont). If we need a reason as to why this discussion should be taken off the table it would be the words of our own politicians. If we believed in the future 4 years ago then we should continue to believe today. The investments we have made are not futile and are here for a reason, it is because a rider from Madison and New London deserves the same service as a rider from Stamford and Darien. The eastern coastline should not be forgotten and have their services cut in the name of saving $8 Million; when we talk about money in our budget that is well spent, this is the money we talk about. The money that provides a tangible improvement to the lives of our people. Everyday riders notice the extra comfort and smooth ride, along with the beautiful views our state has to offer. The diesel locomotives will slow down commutes, and dirty our air no matter what the DOT says about the overhauls they have done to the locomotives, nothing will be better than the new trains we already invested in.
Governor Lamont has already given his directives on Transit Oriented Development (TOD), even earning a spot in his State of The State speech, saying that Connecticut was “The poster child for transit-oriented development” after bringing up the homes added in New London and Naugatuck due to transit improvements. Although can we really encourage TOD if we swipe away the transit from underneath? We need to provide a positive incentive for development near our stations, encouraging growth and economic gain. The state needs to show consistent improvement to encourage people to move in and developers to come. Developers do not develop housing for this year or next, they develop them for 30-40 years from now, families do not move in for this year or next, they plan to build a future. If the rail service that is used to influence growth does not seem to be a priority, why should development be for private companies. Our state needs to align our goals and incentives to make sure that we do not give up the massive opportunity for growth that we have on the eastern coastline that would bring in millions in revenue for the state. By starting to walk back the quality of rail service we would undo much of the work we have already done and signal to developers and prospective residents that they have been forgotten, a bad signal to send going into an election year.
We should consider the opposite, A world of hourly service east of New Haven where ridership grows and people move in due to the ease of access to transit. Companies move in to satisfy demand, and the population soars on the eastern coastline, becoming the state’s hottest housing market. This future is imaginable and attainable, but the future is all too easy to turn sour. When we budget $316 million for rail operations and only give a fraction of it to a developing service, we get stagnation and slow growth. To bring the developing service out of its infancy we must flood funds into frequent service and low prices to encourage ridership. Getting a passenger on the train for the first time is an effortless way to gain a lifetime rider. If the state wants a true redevelopment on the eastern side of the state, it lies on the back of the rail service that serves it. Shore Line East is critical infrastructure that can become the backbone of the economy just like the New Haven Line did for the parallel market.
