In anticipation of increased ridership over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced additional trains on the Hartford line. Wednesday, November 23, the day before Thanksgiving, is expected to be the busiest day of the year for train travel.
“We expect many people to travel, spend time with loved ones and enjoy Thanksgiving getaways in Connecticut,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Rail Administrator Richard Jankovich said. “Thank you to our rail partners, Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak and TASI, for working with us to put more trains into service. Together with CTDOT, they have stepped up to serve everyone in the state.
“The CTDOT team will be ready to assist travelers at New Haven Union Station and Hartford Union Station for much of the extended holiday travel period,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Assistant Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said. “It has become an annual tradition for our team to ensure customers have a safe and comfortable experience while riding Connecticut railroad services during the busy Thanksgiving holiday.”
CTrail and Amtrak Hartford Line will operate a Saturday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, and a weekday schedule on Friday, November 25. Additional Hartford Line trains will be added to the schedule to accommodate anticipated passenger volume. Three northbound and three southbound CTsrail trains will be added to the schedule on Wednesday November 23, Friday November 25 and Sunday November 27. To view the complete schedule, please visit HartfordLine.com.
Although reservations are never required on CTrail Hartford Line Trains, Passengers planning to take an Amtrak Hartford Line train during the holidays must make a reservation prior to travel via the Amtrak website or Amtrak mobile app. Amtrak also announced that bicycle reservations on Amtrak Hartford Line trains will not be available during Thanksgiving week (November 21-28) due to expected high passenger volume and increased luggage and bags. All Amtrak trains may reach capacity during this peak period and need more space to accommodate more passengers. During these holidays, passengers using Amtrak multi-ride tickets such as monthly passes and ten-ride tickets must also make a reservation on board the Amtrak train they wish to use. Travel is encouraged early in the day to avoid overcrowding.
Additionally, Shore Line East will offer a weekend schedule on Thursday, November 24, a weekday schedule on Friday, November 25, and a weekend schedule on Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27. Please visit ShoreLineEast.com for the most up-to-date New Haven Line timetables.
Metro-North Railroad will also operate special trains on the New Haven line on Thursday, November 24 and will operate a modified Saturday schedule on Friday, November 25. Please visit Metro-North Railroad Timetables | MTA for the most up-to-date New Haven line schedules.
While passengers are no longer required to wear masks on trains or at stations, masks are welcome and remain an important preventive measure against COVID-19. Anyone needing or choosing to wear one is encouraged to do so.
For more information on all rail services in Connecticut, visit ctrail.com.
