Two new midday trains will run on weekdays on the Danbury Branch, while two new midday trains will run on weekends on the Waterbury Branch. All four runs are being added to meet growing customer demand and offer even greater flexibility for travel to and from Connecticut communities and New York City.

Rep. Boucher said, "Improving the transportation system in Connecticut gives our state the edge that makes communities in neighboring New York and New Jersey so attractive: a comprehensive system of mass transit. This means more passenger cars making more stops at more locations. This small improvement is a step in the right direction. It shows us that the DOT is finally listening to its customers and working to respond to commuter needs. We look forward to continued focus on this line that will include a new signal system and even more significant upgrades in the near future"

The expanded service on both the Waterbury and Danbury branch lines will mean schedule adjustments on both lines. Customers should consult the new time schedule, available beginning today on the Web site at www.mta.info.

The Danbury line is an asset to the entire Danbury to Norwalk corridor,” added Rep. Boucher. “The Danbury train line – an underdeveloped economic resource for our state could become an engine for growth and prosperity if properly planned and upgraded. Think of what that could mean for housing or business development in our state.”

Metro-North will also adjust late-evening train service to accommodate capital improvement projects in New York and Connecticut. The changes will create an additional late-evening, westbound train from Grand Central to Connecticut and provide a later departure for the last train from New Haven to Grand Central – also something customers have been requesting.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) also announced that rail commuters on the Waterbury, New Canaan and Danbury branch lines will be surveyed for ideas on how to improve rail service. The information will be used as part of a study to determine the long term needs of these branch lines.

On Tuesday, September 23, passengers boarding early morning Waterbury Line inbound trains will be asked to complete a survey. The following day, Wednesday, September 24, passengers on morning peak Danbury Line inbound trains will be surveyed. Passengers on early morning inbound trains on the New Canaan Line will be surveyed on Thursday, September 25.

The purpose of the commuter survey is to determine travel patterns and preferences of current passengers during peak weekday travel periods in order to help define desired service improvements.

In addition, telephone surveys will be conducted in the towns along each corridor during late September and early October to get input from area residents.

Participation in both telephone and commuter surveys is strongly encouraged. The public opinion and travel information collected will be an important component in developing an improvement plan for these corridor