Amtrak Begins Substitute Bus Operation on Hartford Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announced that on Aug. 3, Amtrak will begin a substitute bus operation  for certain morning and evening New Haven to Springfield Amtrak shuttles. The busing is necessary to accommodate construction of a second track as part of the New Haven – Hartford –Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.  The start of major track construction marks a significant milestone toward the launch of enhanced Hartford Line rail service.  The addition of a second track will allow for an increase in service from the current six round trip trains per day to 17 round trips per day south of Hartford and 12 round trips per day north of Hartford.

The busing of Amtrak shuttles will occur Monday through Friday and last for approximately one year. The following Amtrak shuttle trains will be bused to and from New Haven Union Station and Springfield Station:

• Shuttles from New Haven, Connecticut to Springfield, Massachusetts: #490 (8:40 a.m.), #470 (10:30 a.m.) and #476 (5:20 p.m.).
• Shuttles from Springfield, Massachusetts to New Haven, Connecticut: #495 (7:10 a.m.), #493 (10:30 a.m.) and #479 (7:25 p.m.). Buses will depart from Lyman Street.

Buses destined for New Haven will depart Berlin, Meriden and Wallingford 20 minutes earlier than the respective train schedules.  Otherwise, there will be no change in schedule, stops or connections.  Amtrak passengers will board the bus at their respective stations and proper busing signage will be placed on buses and Hartford Line Stations.  Additional Amtrak station service personnel will be on site in New Haven and Springfield to answer questions, as well as to direct passengers to their appropriate bus during this transition.  In addition, announcements will be made on Amtrak trains traveling north from New York City to Hartford Line stations.