The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced the CTfastrak bus rapid transit system will begin operating on March 28. CTDOT has scheduled a free open house in Bristol as part of a series of open houses. The local meeting will be held on Thursday, Jan. 22, 4 p.m.-8 p.m., at the Bristol Library, 5 High Street.
The open house is designed to inform the public about routes in their neighborhoods, how to use a web-based trip planner, how to board the new buses, and try out the new ticket vending machines.
The CTfastrak bus rapid transit system is a series of routes that use a bus-only roadway to improve travel time. Local CTfastrak buses will stop at every station, or use the bus-only road for part of the trip, then use local roads to bring riders to popular destinations such as Westfarms Mall, Manchester Community College, UConn Health Center and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU). Circulator routes will also link CTfastrak stations with surrounding neighborhoods.
Passengers can also board a Hartford Express Bus at free Park & Ride lots in Bristol, Cheshire, Southington, or Waterbury. Buses enter the bus roadway at the Downtown New Britain station, and then continue non-stop to the Sigourney Street station in Hartford where they exit the bus-only road and circulate through downtown Hartford.
“The bus-only roadway will allow CTfastrak buses to avoid the often-jammed sections of I-84 west of Hartford,” CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said in a press release. “That means that customers can count on consistent, reliable service and dramatically improved travel times. CTfastrak will provide a frequent, reliable alternative to drivers and dramatically improve service for existing riders, including evening and Sunday CTtransit bus service in New Britain and Bristol.”
Ten new bus stations in New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford are in the final stages of construction. In addition, a five-mile recreational trail was built along the CTfastrak roadway between New Britain and Newington for bicyclists, runners and pedestrians.
For more information about CTfastrak and updated information about the open house events, visit www.ctfastrak.com. Individuals requesting language assistance or accommodations due to a disability should contact the CTDOT communications office at (860) 594-3061.