Connecticut Democrats Propose $3M Boost for Shore Line East Rail Service

The legislative spending plan would provide more funding for the state Department of Transportation than the governor's proposal.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:54pm

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A warm, nostalgic painting of an empty train platform with long shadows cast by the sun, conceptually representing the efforts to revive commuter rail service in the region.The proposed funding boost aims to restore commuter rail service along the vital Shore Line East corridor, which has struggled to regain pre-pandemic ridership levels.New Haven Today

The Connecticut legislature's Appropriations Committee has advanced a spending plan that would provide about $22 million more for the state Department of Transportation than Gov. Ned Lamont's budget proposal, including $3 million to increase rail service on the Shore Line East line.

Why it matters

State lawmakers, especially those from southeastern Connecticut, have pushed for Shore Line East rail service to return to pre-pandemic levels. The proposed funding increase aims to boost service on this critical transportation corridor along the I-95 corridor.

The details

The legislative plan keeps in place a proposal by the Lamont administration to bring diesel trains back to Shore Line East, which is expected to save the state $8.8 million per year. The potential impact of the additional $3 million in funding is still being determined, but it could allow for more trains to run on the line.

  • The Appropriations Committee advanced the plan on Tuesday.
  • Lamont's budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1, would maintain current Shore Line East service levels.
  • The Democratic-controlled legislature's leadership is now expected to negotiate a final budget with the Democratic governor before the regular session ends on May 6.

The players

Ned Lamont

The Democratic governor of Connecticut.

Christine Cohen

A Democratic state senator from Guilford and the Senate chair of the legislature's Transportation Committee, who is a proponent of increasing service on Shore Line East.

Garrett Eucalitto

The commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation, who has said using electric trains on the Shore Line East line is costly because the state must pay Amtrak to draw power from the wires above the tracks.

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What they’re saying

“I'm really glad to see this investment into Shore Line East, as this is a critical resource for commuters in my district and across the (Interstate) 95 corridor.”

— Christine Cohen, State Senator

“That said, we really need to be making more significant investments into Shore Line East in order to increase service and attract pre-pandemic ridership levels. Shore Line East is so important for commuters, for small businesses, for decreasing carbon emissions and for increasing connectivity across the state's shoreline, and I will continue to advocate for the investment it deserves.”

— Christine Cohen, State Senator

What’s next

The Democratic-controlled legislature's leadership is now expected to negotiate a final budget with the Democratic governor before the regular session ends on May 6.

The takeaway

This proposed funding increase for Shore Line East rail service highlights the ongoing efforts by state lawmakers, particularly from southeastern Connecticut, to restore pre-pandemic levels of public transportation along the critical I-95 corridor.