Connecticut
Lawmakers again push to restore Shore Line East service to 2019 levels
Connecticut lawmakers are again looking to restore Shore Line East rail service to its pre‑pandemic levels, a proposal that could add about 90 more trains per week.
Lawmakers are also weighing a separate cost‑saving proposal to shift the line from electric rail cars back to diesel.
The plan comes as ridership remains well below 2019 numbers, though state data shows those numbers have begun to climb.
The Department of Transportation provided the General Assembly’s transportation committee with the following data:
- 132 trains per week today versus 222 trains per week in 2019, according to the CTDOT commissioner.
- In 2019, most weekday SLE trains traveled between New Haven Union Station and Old Saybrook. This allowed SLE to operate with only five train sets in the morning and four train sets in the afternoon.
- It should be noted that 2019 SLE service levels were very different due to constrained infrastructure; 2019 service levels had a reduced number of SLE trains serving New London (13 trains per day Monday through Friday, as opposed to 20 today), while other stations had increased service (36 trains per day Monday through Friday, as opposed to 20 today).
“2019 levels beyond Old Saybrook to New London would require more crews and more train sets than were used in 2019, requiring significantly more financial resources,” the department wrote in its written testimony.
The department said the governor’s FY2027 budget does not include funding for a full restoration. In other words, even if the legislature requires additional trains, the funds are not included in the current financial plan.
Governor Lamont said on Monday to remember that the state subsidizes the line more than any other rail right now.
“There’s not as much demand as there are for some of the other rail services in other parts of the state, so that’s the balance we’re trying to get right,” Lamont said.
At a public hearing on Monday, concerns about the line’s reliability and schedule were a central focus in the testimony.
“We’re making the line less attractive, some would say. The schedules are very, very difficult to manage,” said Sen. Christine Cohen of Guilford, the co-chair of the committee.
The current schedule for eastbound morning commuters is difficult. The train either arrives in New London just after 7 a.m. or after 9 a.m.
“So obviously not really … conducive to a typical workday,” Cohen said.
Cohen, who represents communities along the line, said she continues to reintroduce the bill to expand service year after year, pushing the state to do more with the line.
She thanked the department for the work it was able to do with the recent funding to establish a through train to Stamford.
“What do we need to do, and what are the challenges that you face in terms of expansion at this time?” Cohen asked.
Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto responded that the biggest hurdle is the cost of labor and access fees to Amtrak, which owns the territory.
“The cost to provide rail service is very expensive,” Eucalitto said.
He said CTDOT knows the current schedule is “not ideal,” but the economics of a work-from-home society are difficult.
“People expect 100% of the trains that they had in 2019, but they only want to take it two days a week,” Eucalitto said.
Asked about the eastbound schedule, the commissioner explained Shore Line East still operates on a model that sends trains toward New Haven in the morning rather than toward New London.
Changing that would require more equipment, more crews, and a second morning operations base, as well as negotiations with Amtrak, which owns the tracks.
Amtrak is “protecting their slots to be able to run increased Northeast Regional service as well as increased Acela service,” Eucallito said. “They’re going to look at us and question, ‘Well, how does that impact our need for Amtrak services?’ They’ll never give you an answer upfront, it’s always: ‘show us a proposal and then they’ll respond to it.’”
Cohen, who chairs the Transportation Committee, touted how a successful Shoreline East benefits the environment, development along the line, and reduces I-95 congestion.
“We need to start talking about how much money this costs us and think about all of the ancillary benefits,” Cohen said during the hearing.
Cohen said there is multi-state support for extending the line into Rhode Island.
“We will need some federal dollars. But as you say, there are other businesses up the line in New London,” Cohen said. “We’ve got Electric Boat. We’ve got Pfizer up that way. If we can get those employees on the transit line, we’re all the better for it.”
Rider advocates said the issue is familiar.
“I’d rather see solutions, and not things that are holding it back,” said Susan Feaster, founder of the Shore Line East Riders’ Advocacy Group.
She said she worries the line is facing a transit death spiral, with reduced service leading to lower ridership and falling fare revenue.
“They have to give us the money,” Feaster said. “It shouldn’t have to be profitable.”
Like other train lines across the country, Shore Line East relies on subsidies.
“We’re not asking for everything to be done overnight, but just incrementally,” Feaster said.
The line received $5 million two years ago, which increased service levels.
The proposal comes as the state reviews whether to return to diesel rail cars that are more than 30 years old.
The state says the switch would save about $9 million, but riders have said it would worsen the passenger experience.
NBC Connecticut asked Cohen whether she’ll ask DOT to reverse that proposal.
“I really want to,” Cohen said. “I appreciate what CTDOT was trying to do in terms of not cutting service as a result of trying to find savings elsewhere. This isn’t the way to do it.”
Connecticut
Percy Steinhart, Creator of the $1,000-Velvet-Slipper Brand Stubbs & Wootton, Restored This Connecticut Home
The Federal-style home of late fashion tastemaker Percy Steinhart in Litchfield, Connecticut, has come to market asking $3.9 million.
Steinhart, whose full name was Percival P. Steinhart III, founded the Palm Beach, Florida-based footwear brand Stubbs & Wootton, known for its velvet slippers, which have been worn by kings and pop stars. The boutique’s classic smoking slippers range from $625 to $1200, and come in a range of whimsical embroidered varieties.
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Steinhart restored and designed the nearly 4-acre Connecticut estate himself, according to listing agents Heather Croner and Patricia McNamee of William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty, who listed the home Wednesday.
“It needed every bit of attention, which he gave it,” Croner said. “It’s so beautiful now; big spacious rooms, all in lovely proportion and beautifully decorated.”
The main house dates to 1874 and spans 6,641 square feet across two stories, with white siding, charming bay windows, multiple fireplaces, stained glass above the entrance and period embellishments. A welcoming entry hall leads to an elegant living room and corner dining room, the modern kitchen has a large island and breakfast nook, while a library steps down to a garden room surrounded by French doors.
The house bears evidence of Steinhart’s insouciant style, with color-drenched rooms, patterned wallpapers as well as the striking two-tone wooden flooring in the library, which is original to the house. “He was a design maven, altogether,” said Croner. “Everywhere you look, every inch shows his sense of design.”
There is also a matching white pool house with two sets of French doors added by Steinhart, which opens onto a flagstone pool deck, and a converted carriage house with green barn doors. Combined, there are a total of seven bedrooms.
The grounds also include a greenhouse, an outdoor kitchen, a croquet lawn and a terraced garden with multiple levels.
Steinhart purchased the house for $2.6 million in 2022, property records show. He had sold another house on the block the year before for $1.8 million, more than double what he paid for it in 2013. He died in November 2025 at age 76.
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Steinhart was born in Cuba to a prestigious family of bankers and businessmen, and founded Stubbs & Wootton in 1990. Fans of the footwear include Lady Gaga, King Juan Carlos I of Spain and Anne Hathaway, who was photographed wearing them on the set of the recently released “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” according to Steinhart’s obituary in The Wall Street Journal.
His brother, Frank Steinhart, who now runs the company, could not immediately be reached for comment.
2028 defensive back Ryan Sims is a quick rising prospect from Suffield (CT) Academy.
He’s been hearing from schools like Rutgers, Penn State, Boston College and Massachusetts, and has also started receiving offers.
His first came from Connecticut in January, followed by Rhode Island in April. On April 11, he hit another milestone when the Orange offered for his first Power 4 offer.
“I really enjoyed my visit,” Sims said to The Juice Online. “I’m very grateful for the Syracuse offer.”
Sims was offered during his trip to Central New York
The offer came during his visit to Syracuse for its spring game on April 11.
During his visit, he got to see campus, tour the facilities and meet with the coaching staff. One coach he spent the most time with was Stack Williams, who extended him the offer.
“I really liked coach Stack,” Sims said. “I appreciated how he took time to connect with everyone who was visiting regardless of what point they are in their recruiting process with Syracuse.”
They talked about D.A.R.T. (detailed, accountable, relentless, tough), the mantra that head coach Fran Brown has instilled in the program since he arrived at Syracuse two seasons ago.
Sims likes the culture at Syracuse
Sims also connected with Williams on how Syracuse develops its players to compete in the ACC and also helps them to prepare for the professional ranks after that.
Among the players that Brown has coached since arriving at SU include defensive backs Justin Barrons (Dallas Cowboys), Alijah Clark (Dallas), Clarence Lewis (Dallas) and Isaiah Johnson (Miami Dolphins).
“I love the program overall and what it stands for and the culture around it,” Sims said. “Coach Stack and I got to talk more on a personal level.”
Sims is predicting a breakout 2026 season
Suffield struggled in the 2025 season, going just 1-8. But Sims has vowed a different outcome this fall.
“2025 was an adjustment season,” Sims said. “My true breakout season will be this junior year. I felt I hesitated and could’ve just stopped holding back and made way more plays.”
Sims said he’s the kind of defensive back that can be out on an island and continue to make plays.
“I am a long, patient DB,” Sims said. “I love to play the ball and make quarterbacks not want to throw my way.”
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Connecticut lawmakers will include $10.5 million for the state’s microtransit pilot program as part of the state’s upcoming budget, that’s according to State Sen. Christine Cohen, who is chair of the Transportation Committee.
“This $10.5 million provides programming in different areas across the state that really allow folks to have their independence, to travel freely to social activities, to doctors appointments, to and from work and so much more,” Cohen said.
The program, which started in 2024, has proven to be popular throughout the state, according to Cohen. The pilot program offered in 18 towns and cities across the state, operates much like Lyft and Uber, where residents can book rides with various contractors.
Transit advocates like Cohen hope the program may be expanded statewide.
They say it meets an urgent need, as many municipalities in Connecticut lack comprehensive mass transit coverage.
“My goal would really be to see these micro transit options in towns in all 169 towns eventually, so that even our most remote settings have options with respect to public transportation,” Cohen said.
Jeremy Tillinger, the director of policy at Via, a rideshare contractor with the pilot program, spoke about the service in late April. Tillinger said the program is already bringing in positive results.
“At a time when affordability and the rising cost of gas prices is on everybody’s minds, micro transit is providing an innovative, cost efficient solution for many,” Tillinger said.
Peggy Lyons, the First Selectwoman of Madison, said many of her residents want the program to continue.
Lyons said about 25,000 rides were booked for the program running in Madison, Guilford, Middletown and East Hampton last year.
“This is kind of filling in that gap and just within the way our state is structured, I think a lot of people are starting to depend on this, and they would hate to see it go,” Lyons said.
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