All Aboard At Mystic Train Depot Getting A Little Easier

Traveling to and from Mystic by train will get a little easier this fall. Over the next few months the Boy Scouts with the help of local craftsmen will construct a vestibule at the that when opened in the fall will provide 24/7 access to an Amtrak ticket machine.

A number of local officials, organizations and business gathered at the Mystic Train Depot Friday morning to speak about the project that they hope will promote sustainable travel in Mystic while at the same boosting tourism and making train access more accessible to residents.

“We really think this is a great economic development activity,” First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr. said.

 As a small train station the Mystic Train Depot is unstaffed by Amtrak meaning it’s only possible to buy tickets during the hours the is open. The lack of a 24/7 ticket machine means the trains don’t stop as frequently, residents often have to go to New London for the train and it can make it difficult for visitors who want to come to Mystic without a car.

State Senator Andy Maynard said the lack of 24/7 ticket access has left the Mystic Train Depot behind the curve and that he hopes the new vestibule will increase tourism and be easier for residents.

One of the hopes is that by increasing access to tickets and train stops in Mystic it will promote a sustainable Mystic—one where people don’t have to rely on rubber wheeled transportation to get around.

“You can go from the bowels of Manhattan to the beauty of Mystic and walk to your car or better yet your bike,” said Peter Glankoff, senior vice president of public affairs at the Mystic Aquarium. “I realized what a treasure this is.”

The is one of number of local and national organizations and businesses behind the effort including the nonprofit National Corridors Initiative, the Boy Scouts, , the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, Mystic Community Bikes, craftsman Peter Roper, , the , the Sierra club of Connecticut and the Old Mystic General Store.

“This is what makes community,” Haberek said of the joint effort. “It’s a great opportunity to take a big project and involve the whole community.”