STAMFORD — With the state’s more than $1 billion purchase of new rail cars complete, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday that two new sets of next-generation M-8 rail cars have entered service on the New Canaan Branch line.
Malloy made the announcement prior to boarding one of the new trains for a trip back and forth to New Canaan from the Springdale train station. During his annual State of the State address last week, Malloy called for an ambitious plan to improve the state’s roads, rails and other transportation infrastructure.
“Today’s announcement is an important step toward improving the safety and enhancing the experience for Metro North commuters as well as bringing our transportation network into the 21st century,” Malloy said in a written statement. “It is also part of the ongoing dialogue we need to have with Connecticut residents about how we can transform our roads, our rail, and our infrastructure to meet the demands of our changing and evolving economy.”
The new trains announced Tuesday will serve the 7:32 a.m. and 7:58 a.m. departures from New Canaan and the 5:13 and 5:29 p.m. departures from Grand Central.
The state Department of Transportation projects that ridership on the New Canaan Branch will increase 44 percent over the next 15 years.
“We are making great strides on the New Canaan branch – delivering to our customers what we promised: better and more reliable service,” said state transportation Commissioner James Redeker. “These top-of-the-line M-8 cars have been very well received by everyone and I am pleased to see them going into service on this key branch of the New Haven Line.”
