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

FOR RELEASE: November 8, 2018

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

Transit Rewards Program Launched For Hartford Line, Shore Line East and CTfastrak Customers

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today the launch of the Transit Rewards Program, a new program that offers discounts and special offers to CTrail and CTfastrak riders at a variety of dining, entertainment, shopping and other popular destinations in Connecticut and western Massachusetts.

The new program rewards riders who use the CTfastrak bus rapid transit system, Hartford Line rail service, or Shore Line East rail service with discounts or special offers from participating businesses that are accessible by these services. Riders can easily redeem their rewards by showing their transit ticket/pass or a transit rewards coupon at time of purchase.  A list of the rewards and coupons is available at www.CTrides.com/TransitRewards.

On Friday, November 9, 2018, there will be a statewide Transit Rewards Program kick-off event happening at Hanging Hills Brewery, 150 Ledyard Street, Hartford from 4 to 7 p.m. The brewery, also a Transit Rewards Program partner, will hold a beer release party for its new “Hartford Line Amber Lager”.

“This exciting new rewards program is designed to benefit area businesses, restaurants and attractions and encourage transit ridership. It’s a ‘win’ for local businesses and a ‘win’ for our loyal transit riders,” said CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker. “The timing is perfect for this launch as we approach the holiday retail shopping and dining season, but our customers will enjoy this benefit year-round.”

More than 50 businesses and attractions are already participating in the new rewards program, and many more are expected to sign up.  A few of the Transit Reward Program participants include the Hartford Yard Goats, Infinity Music Hall & Bistro Connecticut, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, Mystic Seaport Museum, Connecticut Sun and New England Black Wolves at Mohegan Sun, Black Eyed Sally’s, Front Porch Brewing, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Hanging Hills Brewery, Springfield Museums and retailers including Costco and Amato’s Toy & Hobby. For a complete list of participating businesses and attractions, visit www.CTrides.com/TransitRewards.

“This new program is a great way to promote economic growth and vitality in a very direct manner. Its simplicity will make it a huge success.  It’s a great way to introduce local businesses to transit riders throughout the region,” explained Emily Woodward, owner of Get Baked in Windsor.

“The new Transit Rewards program brings together 150 million year old dinosaurs at the Yale Peabody Museum with 21^st Century commuters,” said Melanie Brigockas, director of PR and Marketing, Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History in New Haven.

For the latest information about the new Transit Rewards Program including a complete list of participating businesses and specific rewards offers for riders, visit www.CTrides.com/TransitRewards. Businesses and attractions that would like to participate in the new rewards program, at no cost, are invited to send an email expressing their interest to rewards@CTrides.com.

The new rewards program is managed by CTrides, a service of the Connecticut Department of Transportation that provides information and support on using choice commuting modes, bus, rail, carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking and telecommuting in order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. For more information, visit www.CTrides.com or call 877-CTrides.