(Added August 9, 2008 - thanks to WI and GR)

Amtrak (NEC): With gas prices well above $4 a gallon, and just in time for the summer travel rush, Amtrak has unveiled a new marketing campaign to draw additional riders to “take the road less frazzled” by rebranding regional service between Boston, Providence, Springfield, Hartford, New Haven, New York and Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond and Newport News. The route, previously marketed as “Acela Regional” and “Northeast Direct” before that, will henceforth be called “Northeast Regional”. The rebranding includes a new advertising campaign in states along the Northeast Corridor. The goal of the campaign, scheduled to run from July 13th through September 7th is to inspire customers who may not be regular Northeast Corridor passengers to try the new Northeast Regional service themselves. Northeast Regional service will feature a number of enhancements including refurbished Café cars with new ‘enhanced’ menus. In addition, Café cars will now be positioned in the middle of most trains to improve access for coach passengers who account for more than 90% of all riders. Other improvements include refurbished Business class seats and interiors. Amtrak has also launched en-route cleaning services to help keep the trains clean and fresh. Check www.amtrak.com for more info.

(Added August 7, 2008)

Shore Line East: Following an overwhelmingly successful trial during the 2007 holiday season, Connecticut Commuter Rail – Shore Line East now operates 365 days a year! The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Governor M. Jodi Rell announced the onset of a permanent weekend and holiday schedule effective July 4, 2008. Weekend/Holiday service will boast eight round trips each day between Old Saybrook and New Haven. The July 4th timetable also includes a new later ‘last train’, now departing from New Haven every night at 10:05 PM, which offers a later connection from Grand Central at 8:07 PM. Highlights of the new timetable include:

• More frequent trains stopping in Old Saybrook, Guilford, State St and Union Stations in New Haven throughout the day.
• Branford Station will have only three westbound trains to New Haven due to scheduling limitations. The last westbound departs Branford for New Haven at 11:24 AM.
• A later train will operate every day from New Haven at 10:05 PM.
• Children under 12 will ride free with a fare-paying adult on SLE.
• Parking is free at all Shore Line East stations outside New Haven.

Shore Line East still offers its customers the convenience of purchasing one-way travel to points on the Metro North New Haven Line from the SLE conductor at no additional charge.

See www.ShoreLineEast.com, or call 800-ALL-RIDE for additional information.

(Added July 22, 2008)