Effective May 24, electric trains will begin running on the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) Shore Line East (SLE).
CTDOT says the M8 Electric Multiple Units (EMU) have long been awaited by Shore Line East customers and represent a substantial improvement over the older diesel-powered train sets. Electric trains emit no carbon emissions and include additional amenities for riders such as electrical outlets at each seat, brighter interior spaces, updated restrooms, higher back seats and improved luggage racks.
“These electric trains coming into service are an important milestone for Shore Line East,” said Connecticut Gov. Ted Lamont said. “It is an improvement that has been long awaited and has been delivered. We are speeding up transportation in the state and saving people time in their day. At the same time, we are fighting climate change by investing in cleaner, greener transportation. We are making investments in statewide rail travel and delivering on the promise to make our trains faster, quieter and more efficient.”
Gov. Lamont was joined by Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti, Federal Railroad Administration Railroad Safety Specialist Peter Lapré, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North President/Long Island Rail Road Interim President Catherine Rinaldi, Amtrak Assistant Vice President Tom Moritz and local elected officials and community partners at an announcement at Union Station.
“Electric trains on Shore Line East have been talked about for many years, and there were a lot of hurdles to overcome,” Commissioner Giulietti said. “Today’s service changes took the group efforts of CTDOT, Amtrak, Metro-North Railroad and the Federal Rail Administration. Thank you to all who were involved to get us over the finish line. Beyond the direct environmental benefit, these trains are quieter inside and out, offer a more comfortable ride and have improved amenities I know riders will enjoy. I hope the public will come out and try the Shore Line East service.”
“These newer, more reliable and all-electric M8 trains on Shore Line East will both improve the customer experience for Connecticut visitors and residents and further reduce our carbon footprint,” Moritz said. “The benefits travelers will experience from these trains are due to the strong partnership we have with Governor Lamont, the State of Connecticut, and Metro-North, who all share Amtrak’s commitment to investing in rail and infrastructure.”
The M8 EMU trains have been in service on the New Haven Line for more than 10 years and have performed well. Using electric trains on both the New Haven Line and SLE also holds the promise of future service improvements, according to CTDOT.
“Metro-North values our partnership with the Connecticut DOT, whose Shore Line East service connects customers with towns along the east coast of Connecticut,” Rinaldi said. “These M8 cars will improve the customer experience by providing faster, more reliable service, which should encourage more people to leave their cars at home and take the train.”
