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Metro-North Expands Weekend Service To Every Half Hour On New Haven Line

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- For the first time ever, off-peak and weekend trains will run every half hour on Metro-North's New Haven Line, starting Nov. 9. 

Gov. Dannel Malloy announces expanded train service at the New Haven station on Wednesday.

Gov. Dannel Malloy announces expanded train service at the New Haven station on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Gov. Dannel Malloy's Office ?

The expanded train service was announced Wednesday afternoon at the New Haven station.

“Back in 2012, we made a commitment to operate trains on the New Haven Line at least every half hour, and we are here today to announce that we are making good on that promise," Gov. Dannel Malloy said.

"With off-peak and weekend trains running almost around the clock, Connecticut riders will see more frequent, reliable and convenient service, which is our end goal when deciding what kinds of investments to make in this commuter line. With this good news, the delivery of our new M-8 cars and the upgrades we are making to improve infrastructure and operations, we are continuing to move the New Haven Line to where it needs to be to best serve the tens of thousands of Connecticut residents who depend on this system every day,” he said.

Malloy was joined by Transportation Commissioner James Redeker, New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, Connecticut Business & Industry Association Executive Vice President Joe Brennan and other state and local officials. The off-peak weekday and weekend trains on the New Haven Line will run every half-hour between New Haven and New York City.

The service expansion will begin once Metro-North implements schedule changes Nov. 9. Malloy also announced schedule enhancements for the Waterbury Branch, in response to recent customer demand.

Three new midday trains will depart from New Haven on weekdays at 11:25 a.m., 12:25 p.m. and 1:25 p.m. Four new trains will depart from Grand Central Terminal at 9:34 a.m., 10:34 a.m., 11:34 a.m. (which will replace the 11:34 a.m. express to Stamford), and 12:34 p.m. 

Midday weekend service will also be enhanced as follows:

  • Saturday: new trains depart New Haven at 2:25 p.m., 3:25 p.m. and 6:25 p.m.; new trains depart New York at 10:34 a.m., 11:34 a.m. 12:34 p.m., 1:34 p.m., 2:34 p.m. and 10:34 p.m.
  • Sunday: new trains depart New Haven at 2:25 p.m., 3:25 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.; new trains depart New York at 11:34 a.m., 12:34 p.m., 1:34 p.m., 2:34 p.m., and 10:34 p.m.

On the Waterbury Branch, on Saturday and Sunday nights, a new 10:10 p.m. train will depart Waterbury -- two hours later than the current last train. One new train will depart Grand Central at 10:04 p.m. and Bridgeport at 11:41 p.m. – one hour later than the current last train headed to Waterbury. 

Commuter advocate Jim Cameron, founder of The Commuter Action Group, praised the governor.

“The governor deserves credit for pushing Metro-North to expand service. And I think the ridership demand is there: ‘If you offer it, they will ride,'" Cameron said. "By expanding off-peak service to trains every 30 minutes, instead of once an hour, this new timetable clearly encourages 'discretionary riders.'”

In addition to the new half-hour service, schedules will be improved to address crowding on key weekday and weekend trains. Schedules and station information for the New Haven Line and Waterbury Branch are available at www.mta.info/mnr.

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