Transportation Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-576
AN ACT CONCERNING THE EXPANSION OF PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE
ON THE WATERBURY BRANCH OF THE METRO-NORTH COMMUTER
Title: RAILROAD.
Vote Date: 3/25/2024
Vote Action: Joint Favorable
PH Date: 3/3/2021
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Sen. Kelly, 21st Dist.; Sen. Berthel, 32nd Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
To expand passenger rail service on the Waterbury branch of the MetroNorth Commuter
Railroad.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Rep. Bill Buckee, 77th Assembly District of Connecticut
Representative Bill Buckee presented and submitted written testimony in support of this bill.
The testimony states that the issue of expanding passenger rail service is important for both
the 77th district and Connecticut as a whole, as it is necessary "if we want to remain
competitive with neighboring states []". The representative notes that, if passed, the bill
would "help our state to improve the economic viability of the Naugatuck Valley and the
surrounding communities through improving our transportation service in both safety and
accessibility."
Sen. Kevin Kelly, 21st Assembly of Connecticut
Senator Kevin Kelly presented and submitted written testimony in support of this bill. The
testimony stresses the importance of capitalizing on economic development, job growth, and
nurturing the "untapped potential of the Naugatuck Valley"all of which, Sen. Kelly attests, is
possible via enhancing rail service by way of increasing its capacity. Further, the testimony
references the approximate 90 million dollars in infrastructure improvements that Connecticut
has already initiated for the railwaysthen notes as follows: "But we need to do more to
ensure that the state's investment is fully leveraged. We must have a commitment to finish
the work started by the DOT." Lastly, the senator provides a statistical analysis of pre-
pandemic ridership growth on the Waterbury line.
Rep. Klarides-Ditria, Rep. Labriola, & Rep. Rebimbas; State of Connecticut, General
Assembly
Representative Klarides-Ditra presented and submitted written testimony in support of this
bill. The written testimony was co-signed by Representative Labriola and Representative
Rebimbas. The testimony states that the bill would "improve the economic viability" of the
Naugatuck Valley, as well as "usher in new businesses and opportunities, [and] provide
better transportation services, safety, and security for commuters." Further, the text explains
that the expansion of commuter and intercity passenger rail service would be eligible for
Federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds at 80%--and that the funding
outlined in Governor Lamont's budget represents the state's share, which would provide
funding of $1,227,689 in FY 23 "to leverage the completion of capital projects on the
Waterbury Branch Line by increasing the number of trains servicing the line from 15 to 22 on
weekdays and from 12 to 15 on weekends."
Rep. Rochelle, 104th Assembly District of Connecticut
Representative Rochelle presented and submitted testimony in support of this bill, in which
she clarified certain linguistic inaccuracies. The testimony clarifies that two stationsthe
Seymour station and the Derby-Shelton stationalready exist, despite the bill calling to "add
stops in Seymour, Derby, and Shelton." The representative then notes that the bill "does not
include the Ansonia station, located in the state's most economically-distressed municipality,
which has 116-acres of land available for redevelopment within walking distance of the
station as well as developers who have expressed renewed and active interest in the site
likely due to the Governor's proposal for increased service on the line and plan for station
improvements." A brief explanation of the Naugatuck Valley's history as an economic driver is
given, followed by an explanation of the regions current economic distress and
impoverishment. The testimony concludes with examples of how investing in the Waterbury
Rail Line would "not only uplift distressed municipalities, [but] benefit the entire region up and
down the line []". These examples include the allocation of infrastructure investments, and
opportunities for large-scale development.
Samantha Dynowski, State Director of the Sierra Club
Samantha Dynowski presented and submitted written testimony in support of this bill on
behalf of the Sierra Club. The testimony states that their support has been given for the
following reasons: "Passenger rail transportation is significantly more energy efficient,
reduces carbon and air pollution from automobiles, traffic congestion, wear and tear on roads
and bridges, and makes our neighborhoods safer for pedestrians and cyclists, while creating
jobs, helping to revitalize town centers and reduce poorly-planned sprawling development."
George S. Logan, Resident of Ansonia
George Logan presented and submitted testimony in support of this bill. The testimony states
that the bill would "[provide] a positive impact/boost to regional (i.e. Naugatuck Valley and its
surrounding towns) economic development, [attract] more young professionals and families
to the region with job opportunities/growth, [and solve] the transportation needs for many
people across the economic/affordability spectrum, etc."
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Patrick Scalisi, Resident of Naugatuck
Patrick Scalisi presented and submitted written testimony in support of this bill, which states
that it would have a strong economic impact on Amtrack-adjacent towns in the Naugatuck
Valley, and that increased rail service is essential to "downtown revitalization".
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None expressed.
Reported by: Ian Bond Date: 3/29/2021
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