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

FOR RELEASE: September 26, 2016

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

Connecticut Department of Transportation Presents Plans to Expand CTfastrak Service to Towns East of Hartford

Open House in Manchester will present results of Expansion Study

and invite public input

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will present the results of its CTfastrak Expansion Planning Study to the public at an Open House on Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from 4:30 PM to 8 PM at the Whiton Memorial Library, 100 North Main Street in Manchester.

The planned proposals for eastern expansion of CTfastrak include service to East Hartford, Manchester, Vernon, Tolland and Storrs and will connect with existing CTfastrak service to create a public transportation corridor that runs from Waterbury in the west to UConn Storrs in the east.

The Open House event will include a presentation of the proposed CTfastrak routes for East Hartford, Manchester, Vernon, Tolland and Storrs; a question and answer period; opportunities for one-on-one discussion with CTDOT staff; and a brief survey to secure public feedback. This is the final opportunity for public input into the study which took place over the course of a year.

The Expansion Planning Study was comprised of two phases.   Information on both phases will be available at the open house.  Phase I resulted in extended service hours for local CTtransit routes in East Hartford and Manchester which took effect on August 29, 2016 to better meet the needs of existing riders and anchor institutions, including Manchester Community College, Goodwin College and large employers.

Phase II of the Expansion Planning Study looked at the longer term implementation of CTfastrak to the towns east of Hartford, examined market conditions and identified priority corridors for on-street Bus Rapid Transit service.

Launched in March of 2015, CTfastrak is Connecticut’s first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system: a system of bus routes that utilizes a bus-only roadway for all or a portion of your trip. BRT systems also incorporate additional features and amenities that allow for quicker travel times and a more enjoyable ride, including pay-before-you-ride options, real-time bus arrival information, transit signal preference for buses and on-board Wifi.

CTfastrak routes are integrated with the CTtransit bus system, making it easier for riders to connect, transfer and pay fares.

The expansion of CTfastrak service is part of CTDOT’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Connecticut’s public transportation infrastructure and encourage transit-oriented-economic development.