Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced that rail ridership increased by nearly 1.4 million new riders on Shore Line East and New Haven Line rail service in 2007. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) today released its annual rail ridership report for the calendar year 2007 and first two months in 2008, marking across-the-board increases. (Data tables attached)

The New Haven Line (NHL) experienced over 1.3 million new passengers in 2007, nearly 4 percent over 2006. Shore Line East (SLE) ridership increased 5.5 percent or 25,000 more passenger rides in 2007. The SLE increase includes new riders on the inaugural holiday weekend service operated from November through December.

"More and more Connecticut residents are discovering the value of our state's rail system," Governor Rell said. "Our investments to modernize and replace rail equipment and to improve service continue to pay dividends. New and expanded service was initiated last year on both the Shore Line East and the New Haven lines to meet our rail ridership demand which continues to grow.

FBI: Lieberman campaign to blame for crash

STAMFORD (AP) — Federal investigators have concluded that U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman's 2006 re-election campaign caused the crash of its Web site the day before the Democratic primary with Ned Lamont.

The FBI says it has found no evidence supporting the Lieberman campaign's allegations that Lamont supporters were to blame for the Web site crash.

Lieberman had implied that joe2006.com was hacked by Lamont supporters.

The Advocate of Stamford is citing an e-mail from the FBI which says the server that hosted Lieberman's Web site failed because it was overused and not configured correctly.

Lieberman lost the primary to Lamont but won re-election as an independent in the general election.

Freight train

source of brush fires

NEW MILFORD (AP)— Fire officials say a series of brush fires in Brookfield and New Milford has been traced to a freight train.

Officials say a malfunctioning locomotive on a northbound freight train sparked a series of brush fires Tuesday afternoon.

The fires were largely confined to areas close to the Housatonic Railroad tracks.

The train, which was headed for the Housatonic Railroad depot in North Canaan, was stopped near Kimberly-Clark, where officials determined one of the two locomotives was throwing off sparks.

The train crew turned off the malfunctioning engine and the train continued on its way to North Canaan under power of the second locomotive.

Taking bank trash, Fairfield man claims security lapse

BRIDGEPORT (AP) — A Fairfield man who claims security lapses after taking bank documents from trash bins is headed to court on civil charges that he violated a restraining order won by the bank.

For four months, James Hastings searched through trash bins outside People's United Bank branches in Fairfield County. He pulled out bags of paperwork with private information, including customers' Social Security numbers and account information.

The bank won a restraining order against Hastings last month requiring him to not discuss the matter or distribute paperwork. He has since been interviewed by the Connecticut Post.

People's Bank said Hastings is trying to extort money and claims he asked to be hired as a "fraud consultant."