Upgraded Train Service Is Coming to Windsor!

On May 16, First Town DownTown welcomed guest speakers from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Lisa Rivers, Transit Manager of Public Transportation and Program Manager for Marketing, and Randal Davis, Special Assistant to the Commissioner. They spoke about the Hartford Line, which is a new regional passenger rail service that expands service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield.

An attentive group of community residents and business owners met at the newly renovated Jim’s Pizza for First Town Downtown’s Main Street Matters Morning Meeting. “My job is to make people not use highways,” said Ms. Rivers. “Your world just got bigger!” Beginning June 16th, the Hartford Line will stop more frequently in Windsor from 5:00 am to 11:00 pm. A trip to Hartford would be $3 and a trip to New Haven would be $9.25. On June 16th and 17th, you may ride the trains for free!

You can purchase a ticket at Amtrak.com at the Hartford Line price and reserve a seat on a specific train. Mobile tickets will be available in the Fall.

Mary Beth Welsh, a Century 21 Realtor, “I drive to New Haven to take the train to New York to pick up my daughter because taking the train from Hartford was expensive. Now, I’ll be able to take the train from Windsor for a lot less.” She has a client who doesn’t drive who wants to move to Windsor Center because of the proximity to public transportation.

Pastor Nicole Yonkman from First Church said, “I moved here for access to transportation. Twenty year olds use public transportation and don’t use cars as much. Older people who no longer drive can use public transportation.”

Ms. Rivers said, “We need to let people know that there will be more frequent trains and people need to stay off the tracks.” Operation Life Saver has already placed signs about increased train traffic at crossings.

How does the increased train service affect property values? Ms. Rivers said, “Look at where the high population areas are. They follow the train tracks.” Peter Souza, Town Manager, said that there is increased interest in development because of the trains. An example is the Windsor Station Apartments that are almost full.

They will build a new Windsor Train Station which is currently in the design phase.

For additional information, please visit the website hartfordline.com.