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

FOR RELEASE: October 29, 2015

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

CTfastrak Real-time Bus Information Available on Google Maps

      The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today that real-time bus information for CTfastrak is now available on Google Maps. This information will also be available on other greater Hartford area buses as a statewide roll-out of real-time bus information technology is made available on CTtransit systems over the next year.

      CTDOT has made schedule and real-time information for CTfastrak freely available on the CTtransit website since the system launched in March 2015. Real-time information for bus arrival/departure predictions, service alerts and vehicle locations is provided through data feeds that allow developers to create applications for CTfastrak customers.

      Now, real-time information for CTfastrak will be available on Google Maps. Google Maps is one of the most popular tools for transit trip planning, and can be accessed on desktop, mobile and through the Google Maps app. The addition of real-time trip updates will bring great benefits to many daily bus transit riders. It will allow more accurate and up-to-date trip planning, saving passengers time and informing them of disruptions in service.

      CTDOT estimates that all Hartford/New Britain buses will be equipped with real-time bus information technology by the end of the winter. Customers should be aware that during the rollout period, not all buses on any one route will have the equipment installed.  When this occurs, bus information will be displayed in applications based on scheduled departure times rather than real-time information.

For information about CTfastrak, visit www.ctfastrak.com, connect via Facebook at www.facebook.com/ctfastrak or via Twitter at @ctfastrak. Bus data feeds are available for use by developers at http://www.cttransit.com/About/developers/gtfsdata/Index.asp.