New Canaan Branch Weekend Buses Run Through August 30

USA: Weekend trains on Connecticut’s New Canaan Branch will be replaced by buses through August 30 as crews install track beside the line for Stamford’s maintenance facility.

Weekend replacement window covers all train service

Under CTDOT’s July 31 notice, substitute buses will replace every weekend train on the branch. The closure begins at 11:00 p.m. each Friday and ends at 9:00 p.m. each Sunday.

Normal train service will resume on weekdays. The arrangement keeps the line available for regular Monday-to-Friday operations while giving crews a defined weekend work window.

Passengers should check MTA’s published New Canaan Branch timetable and current alerts before travelling. The line serves Stamford, Glenbrook, Springdale, Talmadge Hill and New Canaan, with connections toward New York City.

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New track will support the Stamford maintenance facility

The work involves installing track adjacent to the New Canaan Branch to support the Stamford Maintenance of Equipment Facility. CTDOT’s latest notice does not state a separate cost or completion date for this track element.

A CTDOT project outline for the Stamford facility says the state owns the site and Metro-North operates it for inspection, maintenance and cleaning of Connecticut’s rail fleet. The 2023 outline also described wider facility work, including roof, HVAC and lighting replacement, a Track 44 extension, emergency power improvements and upgrades to the adjacent car wash.

At the time of that outline, the facility also served as a base for approximately 140 conductors, assistant conductors, trainmen, engineers and administrative employees.

Riders can track changes before travelling

CTDOT advises passengers to use MTA service alerts or the TrainTime app for real-time information. Email and text notifications are also available. Telephone assistance can be reached at 877-690-5114 from Connecticut or 511 from New York, while deaf or hard-of-hearing customers can use the 711 relay service.

The published disruption applies only to weekends through August 30; weekday New Canaan Branch trains continue to operate normally.