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Gov. Malloy: Amtrak Should Add More Cars To New Routes

Outgoing Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy has acknowledged that there have been some capacity problems on a newly-established rail line.

Since CTrail commuter trains began making trips last June between Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, some riders have complained about certain trains throwing people off when it's too crowded.

During a visit Thursday to Union Station in Springfield, Malloy said that's not the deal they reached with Amtrak.

“Our agreement in place is that they honor our tickets, we honor their tickets. If that system’s going to work, they have to have more cars on their trains,” Malloy said. “I think in the long term, we’ll probably want to add more trains.”

Amtrak owns the physical rail lines, and runs its own trains on the route.

But when Amtrak trains are making the trips, some riders have said, people with CTrail tickets were told to get off the train to make room for Amtrak customers.

Malloy, who leaves office in January, encouraged lawmakers from both Massachusetts and Connecticut to reach out to Amtrak about capacity issues.

Riders prepare to get on an afternoon Amtrak train at Hartford's Union Station.
Frankie Graziano / Connecticut Public Radio
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Connecticut Public Radio
Riders prepare to get on an afternoon Amtrak train at Hartford's Union Station.
At center, Mayor Domenic Sarno greets Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy at the train platform in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican / masslive.com/photos
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The Republican / masslive.com/photos
At center, Mayor Domenic Sarno greets Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy at the train platform in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Copyright 2018 New England Public Media

Sean Teehan

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