RAIL COMMUTER COUNCIL HAILS NEW UNI-RAIL TICKET
PLAN WHICH SAVES SHORE LINE EAST COMMUTERS
$48 PER MONTH
(Stamford - January 27, 1998):
An innovative new rail ticket for riders in Connecticut is being hailed by the CT Rail Commuter Council as a boon to rail commutation. "This is one of the best things to happen to commuters since the invention of the portable coffee mug," says Jim Cameron, Vice Chairman of the Commuter Council.Under the ticketing plan, which debuts February 1st, commuters who ride Shore Line East trains and connect in New Haven to continue their commute on Metro-North can now use one "Uni-Rail Ticket" rather than separate tickets from the two railroads. For monthly commutation pass holders, the savings can be as much as $48 per month (see chart).
"This new Uni-Rail Ticket makes the cost of the train even cheaper than gasoline for a comparable commute," says Cameron. "As if avoiding congestion on the Q Bridge isn't enough incentive, now rail commuters can save $48 a month as well!" For example, a daily rider from Clinton to Stamford would pay $149 per month for a Uni-Rail Ticket vs. $154 per month just for gasoline. That brings the cost of the rail commute to six cents per mile. (see i below)
In service since 1990, Shore Line East is operated by the Conn. Dept. of Transportation and offers peak-hour directional service from New London to New Haven with six intermediate stops in Old Saybrook, Westbrook, Clinton, Madison, Guilford and Branford. Free parking for commuters is available at each intermediate station. Ridership has increased annually in recent years, with on-time performance exceeding 90%+.
The CT Rail Commuter Council is a volunteer consumer group, created by the CT Legislature to represent the interests of Metro-North and Shore Line East riders. The Council meets monthly at stations on the lines and all meetings are open to the public.
Monthly Uni-Rail Tickets are on sale now by mail thru Chek-It Plus or at Shore Line East and Metro-North stations. For more information commuters should call 800-638-7646
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i
Calculation based on Clinton-Stamford distance of 61 miles one way times 40 trips per month. The same 2440 miles driven at average 22 mpg in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic would use 110 gallons of gasoline per month at $1.39 per gallon. Trip time by rail 100 min. = 37 mph. Trip time by car = ???
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