CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: October 8, 2015

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

CTfastrak Offers Travel Options for Participants & Supporters

Attending This Saturday's Hartford Marathon

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation today encouraged Hartford Marathon participants and supporters to use the new CTfastrak bus rapid transit system when traveling to this Saturday's activities in downtown Hartford. However, the half and full marathon course will significantly impact the normal operation of CTfastrak and CTtransit so riders should be aware of the bus routing changes and expect longer travel times.

      Regular Saturday CTfastrak transit service will operate in the morning until 6 a.m.  At that time, CTfastrak routes 101 and 102 service will end at the CTfastrak Sigourney Street Station in Hartford – approximately ½ mile from race prime viewing area at the corner of Broad Street and Farmington Avenue and ¾ mile from the starting line at the Capitol Building.  Shuttle buses will be available to take riders to the Spruce Street bus stop at Union Station, bypassing the marathon course by using i-84.  This shuttle will operate in both directions, but passengers should anticipate an extra 20 to 30 minutes in travel time.  The regular Saturday CTfastrak transit service will resume operations at approximately 2 P.M.  Fares for CTfastrak or CTtransit are $1.50 for up to two hours of travel and $3.00 for an unlimited-ride day pass.

      For all transit updates and a full listing of travel information surrounding this Saturday's downtown Hartford events, visit www.cttransit.com.

      The 26.2 mile marathon, 13.1 mile half marathon and marathon team relay will start in front of the Capitol Building at 8 A.M.  The 3.1 mile 5K race starts at the intersection of Washington and Buckingham Streets at 8:01 A.M. and the HMF FitKids races will begin on the east side of Bushnell Park by the Pump House at 9:30 A.M. For further information about this Saturday's Hartford Marathon and related activities, visit www.HartfordMarathon.com, Facebook at HMF Events or Twitter at @RunHMF.

      Recently, CTfastrak launched a benefits program that offers rider discounts at area businesses and also started operating the "Rentschler Flyer," an express transit service to all Saturday University of Connecticut home football games in East Hartford.  Passengers can connect with the Rentschler Flyer from any CTfastrak route and from many CTtransit routes in Hartford. The CTfastrak system provides direct service to and from Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, East Hartford and Manchester with routes that take advantage of the bus-only CTfastrak roadway. The CTfastrak system offers a one-seat, no-transfer ride to many major regional employment, education, shopping and healthcare destinations as well as connections to the New Haven Line-Waterbury branch rail in Waterbury and Amtrak service in Hartford.  A new 4.5 mile multi-use trail runs parallel to the CTfastrak bus-only roadway from New Britain to Newington Junction.

      For information about CTfastrak, visit www.ctfastrak.com, connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfastrak or via Twitter at @ctfastrak. Route timetables are available at www.cttransit.com under the “Schedules/CTfastrak” tab and the latest CTfastrak Rewards information is available at www.ctfastrak.com/rewards.