Passenger Trains > Connecticut taps TransitAmerica, Alternate Concepts to operate Ha

Connecticut taps TransitAmerica, Alternate Concepts to operate Hartford Line

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has chosen a joint venture of TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts Inc. to operate and manage service on the CTrail Hartford Line, a passenger-rail route that will run between New Haven, Conn., and Springfield, Mass.

Currently under construction, the Hartford Line is scheduled to launch in May 2018, according to a press release issued by Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy's office.

CTDOT selected the firms after a service provider bidding process and cost-benefit analysis. The agreement marks the first time the department has contracted with a private service provider to operate a rail line.

Using a contractor is a more cost-efficient alternative to creating a separate internal unit and hiring employees to manage the Hartford Line, according to the release.

Amtrak will remain responsible for maintaining the railroad infrastructure, including track signals, train dispatching and right-of-way security.

The 64-mile route will serve as a regional link between existing rail services, including MTA Metro North Railroad, Shore Line East and Amtrak's Acela high-speed services.

"We are getting closer each day to launching commuter-rail service between New Haven, Hartford, and our friends in Springfield — a service that we’ve needed in the central Connecticut area for decades and will finally allow an option to move people, goods, and services with greater ease," Malloy said.

Together, TransitAmerica Services and Alternate Concepts serve 57 million riders each year in the United States. Their combined operations and maintenance services include commuter-rail contracts in San Francisco, Denver and Boston, along with light-rail, heavy-rail and streetcar contracts throughout the country.

In March, Valley Metro approved a five-year contract with Alternate Concepts to provide rail transportation service for the agency's 26-mile system in Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Arizona.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Connecticut-taps-TransitAmerica-Alternate-Concepts-to-operate-Hartford-Line--52239

Who?

"Using a contractor is a more cost-efficient alternative to creating a separate internal unit and hiring employees to manage the Hartford Line, according to the release."

Who knew that 187 years of the standard railway operating practice of the rail line owner running the trains that operate on the line is not cost-efficient!

Think of all the extra money Wall Street and the City could have made over that time if only they had contracted out operations.

If only this rail line were owned by a railroad that already had a separate internal unit to manage and operate trains. Then CT wouldn't need to create a new unit to do so, or hire a contractor.

This is what "Progress" looks like:

Back in the mists of time to 1970 - essentially hourly service from Springfield to Grand Central Terminal

1971 to 1988 - Bi-hourly trains are operated via splitting sections at New Haven to provide direct service to/from NYC and DC without change of train

1988 to 2000 - Less than bi-hourly trains are operated via splitting sections at New Haven to provide direct service to/from NYC and DC without change of train, but now the line is single track to ensure a slower, safer, and more "efficient" operation that "saves" money on the order of a few hundred thousand per year in maintenance.

2001 to 2017 - Tri+-hourly trains are operated as shuttles requiring passengers to change trains to reach anywhere beyond New Haven. Service north to Boston is ended because who wants to ride to there, right? What a backwater that town is.

2018 to infinity and beyond - After a $600 million project to restore some of the second track that was removed to "save" money and drive efficiencies, bihourly HIGH SPEED trains averaging 41 mph are to be operated by a separate company requiring separate tickets from the through intercity trains to reach NYC and DC. It goes without saying there will be no through service to NYC or DC or Boston nor even through service to Stamford on these new trains.

Agreed. The Balkanization of services in a small state like Connecticut is a little ridiculous. Shore Line East, Metro North, whatever they're going to call this, plus Amtrak. A mess.

You do have to wonder what Amtrak's bid looked like. It's also fair to say Amtrak and ConnDOT have had a pretty rocky relationship during the rebuilding effort.

Paul Wilson
Arlington, VA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/17 09:13 by Dcmcrider.

About a day late.

https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?4,4344957

Dcmcrider Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Agreed. The Balkanization of services in a small
> state like Connecticut is a little ridiculous.
> Shore Line East, Metro North, whatever they're
> going to call this, plus Amtrak. A mess.
>
> You do have to wonder what Amtrak's bid looked
> like. It's also fair to say Amtrak and ConnDOT
> have had a pretty rocky relationship during the
> rebuilding effort.

The former Amtrak CEO really took Amtrak out of the commuter business: VRE in Washington DC area, PCS in the SF Bay area...

.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/05/17 16:14 by darkcloud.