Senate Bill No. 277, also known as File No. 211, is a legislative proposal that mandates the Connecticut Department of Transportation to restore service on the Shore Line East rail line to the level of service that was available prior to the service reductions caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. This restoration is to be completed by July 1, 2024. The bill has been reported favorably by the Committee on Transportation and is recommended to pass.

The fiscal impact of the bill indicates that the Department of Transportation will incur costs to restore the service. The full-year costs for restoring services by the specified deadline are estimated at $33.2 million. However, due to expected delays in meeting the initial deadline, the actual cost for the first year is anticipated to be less than $16.6 million. For the fiscal year 2026, the cost is projected to be approximately $34.8 million, which accounts for expected increases in operational expenses. The ongoing fiscal impact of the bill is expected to continue into the future, adjusted for inflation. The bill includes new legal language that specifies the effective date, section amendment, and fiscal impact details.