The $103 million West Haven commuter rail station is officially open.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and others gathered Monday for a ribbon cutting at the station, which will primarily serve customers on the New Haven Line.
The line, operated by Metro-North Railroad under contract with the state Department of Transportation (ConnDOT), saw ridership increase 1.3 percent in 2012 with 38.8 million rides. That broke a 2011 record of 38.3 million.
The West Haven station is the line’s first new station since Fairfield Metro Station opened in 2011.
Building a station in the 10 miles between the Milford and New Haven stops gives nearby commuters a shorter trip to access rail travel.
“The New Haven Line is vital to facilitating commerce and ensuring residents have a real alternative to driving to work every day,” Malloy said in a statement.
The station has two 1,100-foot platforms, restrooms, self-pay parking and ticket machines, bicycle racks and 650 parking spaces. Parking will be free through Sept. 2. The project also included upgrades to a five-mile section of track.
Officials held a moment of silence Monday to remember Metro-North employee Robert Luden, who was struck and killed by a train while working on the track on May 28.
