State Officials Plan Two Commuter ‘Superstations’

BRIDGEPORT (AP) — State officials are planning to open at least two new “superstations” in an effort to lure commuters out of their cars and onto Metro North and Shore Line East trains.

The stations would each be surrounded by 1,000 or more free parking spaces, new express trains to carry passengers on trips within Connecticut, station improvements, and service upgrades.

State planners are considering free transportation to shuttle people from the station to outlying parking lots or to large employers.

The push to get more people to take the train is partly driven by a notion that large-scale improvements to Interstate 95 and other highways will last longer, because bridges and roads will carry less traffic.

Participants in a statewide “transportation summit” last Thursday concluded that $6 billion in infrastructure improvements alone won’t unsnarl the state’s roads. A major shift in commuting habits will also be necessary, participants said.

A package of improvements including new rail cars, overhead lines, and bridges are under way.

The “superstations” will make it easier for commuters to use the train and no present stations will be closed when the new facilities open, officials said. A site in Fairfield and sites in West Haven or Orange have been identified for the superstations.

No timetable for opening the new facilities has been set.

Officials said the main benefit of the superstations will be to make Metro-North a more viable alternative to driving on the highway, particularly for in-state travel which provides the railroad’s biggest growth.