SUMMER TRANSPORTATION HIGHLIGHTS

I’ve always thought of Labor Day as New Year’s Eve.  After a summer of vacations the new business year has begun and we’re back to the grind.  But while you’ve been enjoying the summer (me, too!) we need to get updated on what’s been happening on our roads, rails and waters.

TRAFFIC DEATHS DOWN SLIGHTLY:            On a hopeful note, only 143 highway deaths have been tallied in our state as of mid-August… hopeful, compared to 196 deaths by the same time last year.  Credit should go to the State and local Police Departments for cracking down on reckless drivers and speeders.  But of some concern, there’s been an increase in fatalities and injuries involving e-bikes as new laws regarding their operation take effect October 1^st.

USING A.I. TO KEEP HIGHWAYS SAFE:         It’s been a while since we’ve had a wrong-way crash on our interstates and parkways, thanks in part to artificial intelligence (A.I.).  CDOT has installed tech at 150 on and off ramps looking for people as they enter the highway in the wrong direction, setting off flashing lights and alerting the State Police.

HIGHER FARES ON TRAINS:     As predicted, fares on all of our trains went up 5% as of September 1^st.  What a nice way to welcome back commuters!  And another 5% jump is coming next July.  Bus fares were not affected.

WORK FROM HOME:       Higher rail fares (with the same slow service) and unending traffic are other reasons more than 17% of Connecticut residents chose to work remotely.  In some towns the numbers are much higher:  39% of Weston residents and 36% in Westport. 

NEXTGEN ACELA:           Years late, the nifty new Acela trains started running between Boston and Washington on August 28^th.  Train fan that I am, I saw it run past on it’s debut run… already 12 minutes late.  Though they’re capable of 160 mph, they run no faster (and sometimes slower) than Metro-North.  Congestion and delays affect even Amtrak’s flagship trainsets.  Kind of like putting a Maserati on I-95 at rush hour.

Back in the Metroliner days, Amtrak offered partial fare refunds if your train was 15 minutes late.  Last Tuesday’s Next-Gen Acela train (9-2-25) was 30 minutes late into Stamford and 45 minutes late into Washington DC.  If your train is 2+ hours late you have to contact Customer Relations to plead your case.

SPIRIT AIRLINES CHAPTER 11 – TAKE 2:     The Ultra-Low-Cost airline has filed for bankruptcy again, just months after emerging from its last filing in 2024.  The airline blames financial and operational difficulties: underwhelming demand, excess flight capacity, mounting debt and high operating costs.  For now, Spirit plans to continue flying out of Bradley airport.

SHIPPING DWI:      The captain of the 100,000 ton container ship MSC Jubilee IX was arrested last month by the Coast Guard and charged with DWI.  When the Seattle harbor pilot boarded he said he smelled a strong odor of alcohol and called the authorities.  The captain said it was just his mouthwash but a breathalyzer test showed a blood alcohol of 0.25, six times the legal limit.

Amazingly, local laws call this only a misdemeanor with a $1000 fine.  But the captain undoubtedly faces severe consequences.  The ship continued its journey without him.