Passenger Trains > Operator for CT Comuter Rail chosen: Herzog & ACI

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that a joint venture of TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts has been selected as the service provider that will operate and manage service on the CTrail Hartford Line – the passenger rail service currently under construction that will provide more frequent train service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield. The rail line is anticipated to launch in May 2018.

All on Amtrak iron, using CDOT equipment.



-Tom

Herzog also won the Tri-Rail contract. Their prior running experience had some difficulties.

Tri-Rail eliminated five of the six bidders, which left Herzog as the sole bidder.

Posted from Android

Will Amtrakkeep the Springfield shuttles once the commuter service starts? That would seem redundant. Better to just do cross-ticketing and schedule coordination.

Dave

Yes. This is supplemental, just as SLE.
There will be additional stations, not served by Amtrak, well after the start date.

DavidP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Will Amtrakkeep the Springfield shuttles once the
> commuter service starts? That would seem
> redundant. Better to just do cross-ticketing and
> schedule coordination.
>
> Dave

More here:

https://ctmirror.org/2017/07/24/amtrak-loses-bid-to-operate-new-hartford-commuter-rail/

There were four other bidders, including Amtrak.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA

Yes, Amtrak will continue to operate a set of connecting trains. The "why" is very good question. The reason for separate operation, is that the state trains are primarily for commuters which insist on very definite schedules. Metro-North will continue to operate trains between New Haven and Grand Central in New York. The Amtrak trains are there to provide through connections from Washington. Commuters do not want to wait for a late Amtrak train if the connecting train is late. Amtrak also runs one through train from Washington to Vermont and another from Springfield to Washington. These through passengers do not appreciate changing. Connecticut is providing equipment for their trains which is not be a step up to equal the Amtrak equipment. Also, passengers do not appreciate lugging items from one platform to another.

It will be interesting to see what develops over time. Sure travel patterns will change and train schedules will adapt to these patterns,

Herzog... better unionize

.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/17 16:13 by darkcloud.

I wonder if the Springfield Line will meet the same fate as the Atlantic City Line. With the commuter rail service equaling the speed and convenience of the shuttles, ridership might drop to the point where Amtrak just finds it easier to tell people to change trains. Vermonter and inland Regional excepted of course. Maybe Amtrak uses the savings to add a second Vermonter round trip.

Not a chance, on both fronts. The route has never seen a total lapse in service as ACY did until 1988. Also, this route was part of the NEC purchase in 1976, which still owned, and dispatched by Amtrak, and the state of Connecticut has no competency nor facilities for this. The other lines in the state are maintained and operated by Metro-North.SLE east of NHV is operated by Amtrak. A fair number of people still purchase through tickets from Springfield and Hartford to points south, and North. If somebody were to pony up the enormous money for a second run through Vermont, that might happen.

There will be added stops for stations that do not yet exist, in addition to shuttle service to and from Bradley Airport from the Windsor Locks station.


mbrotzman Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I wonder if the Springfield Line will meet the
> same fate as the Atlantic City Line. With the
> commuter rail service equaling the speed and
> convenience of the shuttles, ridership might drop
> to the point where Amtrak just finds it easier to
> tell people to change trains. Vermonter and inland
> Regional excepted of course. Maybe Amtrak uses the
> savings to add a second Vermonter round trip.