Union Station (New Haven)

New Haven-Union Station
General information
Location	50 Union Avenue New Haven, CT 06519
Line(s)	Acela Express - Regional - Vermonter
Connections	MTA Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line, Shore Line East
Other information
Station code	NHV
Passengers
2006	631,596  3%

Union Station is the main railroad passenger station in New Haven, Connecticut. Designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, the beaux-arts Union Station opened in 1918 after the previous Union Station was destroyed by fire. It fell into decline, however, along with the rest of the railroad industry in North America after World War II. It was shuttered in 1954 and almost demolished. Reopened after renovations in the early 1985, it is now the premier gateway to the city.

The handsomely restored building features interior limestone walls, ornate ceilings, chandeliers and striking stainless steel ceilings in the tunnels to the trains. In the station, there are newsstands, car rental outlets, and other stores. Parking for the station has been a major bottleneck, despite a large parking structure attached to the station in addition to parking lots. The parking problem has been partially alleviated by the opening of the State Street Station and the opening of other large parking structures in the area.

Current service

Amtrak

Amtrak runs frequent service through Union Station along the electrified Northeast Corridor rail line. Most Amtrak trains are Regional trains or Acela Express trains operating between New York City and Boston.

Shuttle trains to Springfield, Massachusetts connect with some Regional trains; other Regionals run through to Springfield from New York or vice versa. These through trains must change locomotives at New Haven, as the track north to Springfield is not electrified, unlike the Northeast Corridor.

Additionally, the Vermonter provides through service from Washington, D.C. beyond Springfield to St. Albans, Vermont.

Because of Continental Airlines code sharing on select Amtrak trains between Union Station and its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport in the New York City area, Union Station is assigned the IATA airport code of ZVE.

Metro-North

Metro-North Railroad operates its New Haven Line from Union Station, to Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The service is well patronized by commuters, despite the travel time of nearly two hours.

Shore Line East

Shore Line East is a commuter rail service operated by the Connecticut Department of Transportation designed to serve residents of coastal Connecticut east of New Haven who work in New Haven, Stamford, or New York. Shore Line East trains run primarily inbound from New London, Connecticut in the morning, and primarily outbound in the evening.

Future Service

The states of Connecticut and Massachusetts have approved funding for the creation of commuter rail service from New Haven to Springfield on the current Amtrak line, with a shuttle bus connection in Windsor Locks for Bradley International Airport. Early work has begun, with service expected to begin in 2008.

External links

• New Haven Union Station – Amtrak
• New Haven Union Station – Station history at Great American Stations (Amtrak)
• Metro-North Railroad - New Haven-Union Station
• Shore Line East - Union Station, New Haven
• The Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council

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