Connecticut celebrating 25 years of service on Shore Line East

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is celebrating 25 years of service on the Shore Line East this week by thanking customers for their loyalty with complimentary coffee at key stations and a major event on Friday.

CDOT Commissioner James Redeker said the department was proud to mark this milestone in the line’s history.

“Shore Line East is an integral part of Connecticut’s transportation network and critical to the economic well-being of our state,” Redeker said. “We want to thank our passengers for their ridership and loyalty. Without them there would be no Shore Line East.”

The week-long celebration will conclude on Friday at Union Station in New Haven, where attendees will be treated to live music, prizes and cake in the shape of a locomotive from 4 to 8 p.m.

Shore Line East debuted in May 1990, serving rail passengers between Old Saybrook and New Haven. Originally, 11 weekday trains were scheduled, including, five morning trains to New Haven and six evening trains to Old Saybrook. In 1996, service was expanded east to New London; and in 2002, west to Bridgeport and Stamford. Weekend and holiday service was added from New Haven to Old Saybrook in 2008 and was expanded to New London in 2013. In December, Shore Line East carried its 10 millionth rider, and now provides 34 weekday and 21 weekend trains.