Lauding Introduction of Electric Trains for Shore Line East, Advocating for Waterbury Branch Next

May 24, 2022

On Monday, I joined Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Giulietti and local elected officials and community partners Monday at Union Station in New Haven to launch all-electric trains on Shore Line East.
 
The M8 offers a substantial improvement over older diesel-powered train sets as they emit no carbon emissions and include additional amenities for riders, such as electrical outlets at each seat.

Geraldo Reyes, Mary Welander, Robin Comey

As the bipartisan Waterbury Rail Line Caucus co-chair, this kind of improved train service for Shore Line East is a positive trend for economic development, tourism, and people residing along the coast east of New Haven.

I am also an advocate for M8 expansion to the Waterbury Branch line would make an economic impact on the region, especially with the increase in trains servicing the rail line from 15 to 22 on weekdays and 12 to 15 on the weekends, in addition to an environmental impact since the trains would help further reduce the carbon footprint.
 
Electric trains coming into service for Shore Line East is a long-awaited action that will improve commuting times and fight climate change by investing in cleaner, greener transportation. I look forward to the day when these trains are introduced on the Waterbury Branch line, which I constantly advocate for, thanks to the strong partnership with Governor Lamont, the Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North, whom all share the commitment to investing in rail infrastructure.
 
M8 trains have been in service on the New Haven Line for more than 10 years, and using electric trains on both the New Haven Line and Shore Line East also holds the promise of future service improvements.

Train