New London — Calling it a "profoundly important" issue, Sen. Richard Blumenthal advocated at a news conference Thursday for Amtrak to continue to accept Shore Line East tickets on Acela Express trains.

"For you and for all of us who live in Connecticut, rail transportation is our future," said Blumenthal to about 30 residents and officials in the City Council Chambers.

He said it's not only a means for residents to get to work, but the whole state's way of avoiding congestion and helping the environment.

Blumenthal said he's concerned that Amtrak is considering ending its current practice of cross-honoring monthly Shore Line East tickets on the Acela Express train 2151, from New London to New Haven, after September.

Amtrak currently accepts multiride Shore Line East tickets on several weekday Amtrak trains, including an Acela train, according to Shore Line East's website.

In a letter to Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman, Blumenthal wrote that the Acela train "provides an essential commuting option for many residents of New London, Connecticut needing to reach New Haven for work."

About 22 Shore Line East ticket-holders commute each day on the train, he wrote.

The senator asserted Thursday that the Acela train has more than enough capacity to handle Shore Line East riders. If people have to pay the full amount for the Acela, it won't be used, which would ultimately mean less revenue for Amtrak, he said.

He said a one-way Acela ticket costs at least $55, while a monthly pass for Shore Line East is about $204. 

Blumenthal explained that he's an advocate for Amtrak, which provides a crucial service along the busy Northeast Corridor, and the need to invest in rails and bridges on that route.

"We need advocates for Amtrak, and the only way we can attract more advocates is to increase our ridership," he said.

Amtrak spokesman Craig Schulz said in a written statement that "Amtrak continues to work closely with our partners in the State of Connecticut to finalize an agreement acceptable to all interested parties."

On Thursday, John Hartwell, the vice president of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council, said that the council has identified the cross-honoring of tickets as a critical issue.

City Councilor Erica Richardson, a Shore Line East commuter, said the Acela train is often the only way for people to get to work at an early hour. She also pointed out that roads can be congested and sometimes conditions aren't safe for driving.

"For us, it's economic," she said about the train service. "It's how we support our families."

Kristin Elliott, a Waterford resident who commutes to New Haven, spoke to congestion on Interstate 95. She said taking the train helps her avoid traffic, allows her time to be productive, and enables her to get to work during inclement weather.

"Taking the highway is not cost-effective, it's not stable, it's not safe," she said.

New London Mayor Daryl Justin Finizio said rail between New Haven and New York City typically gets the most attention and praised Blumenthal for caring about commuter rail in Southeastern Connecticut.

State Rep. Aundre Bumgardner, R-Groton; Groton Town Mayor Rita Schmidt; Stonington First Selectman George Crouse; East Lyme First Selectman Mark Nickerson; City Councilor Michael Passero; and Tony Sheridan, the president of the Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce were among other officials who spoke at Thursday's conference.

In addition to addressing the cross-honoring of tickets, commuters and officials called for more options along Shore Line East, expanding the service to Mystic or Westerly and for additional rail stations, including in Groton and Niantic.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich