BENEFITS

CTfastrak is Connecticut’s first Bus Rapid Transit system.

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems are innovative, high capacity, cost effective public transit systems that improve regional mobility by using buses on a dedicated guideway. The system will transport passengers to their destinations swiftly while offering system flexibility to meet changing transit demands.

BRT provides many benefits to a community, with positive impacts to businesses, professionals, residents, families and community groups, including:

An Enjoyable, Stress-Free Ride -  Equipped with WiFi, riders will be able to take advantage of their travel on BRT vehicles, using their time to do something more productive than driving, or to just relax. The CTfastrak system will use low-floor buses that are easy to board and comfortable to ride. The CTfastrak stations will have platforms at the same height as bus doorways, providing passengers with level boarding.

Efficient and Reliable Travel - Operating on a dedicated guideway, BRT systems are able to operate at speeds that are faster than conventional buses moving on regular roads with other traffic. BRT typically delivers shorter travel times than traditional buses, and often shorter than the equivalent automobile commute.

Convenience - With fast, frequent and direct service from local communities to popular destinations, CTfastrak will offer a safe and worry-free ride to busy commuters and other travelers.

Flexibility - Many riders will be able to travel to their destinations with a "one-seat" ride. Even travelers located many miles away from the CTfastrak corridor will be able to use express transit routes that will travel on the dedicated CTfastrak guideway to swiftly transport them to their destination.

Economic Development Opportunities - Accompanied by complementary land use and zoning policies consistent with transit-oriented development (TOD), CTfastrak is already helping to positively transform the central Connecticut economy and local neighborhoods into more appealing destinations to live and work.

Environmentally-Friendly Service - The CTfastrak vehicles are clean diesel - electric hybrids and the transit service will replace the need for thousands of daily automobile trips on Connecticut roads and highways. As a result, the CTfastrak system will help achieve better air quality and other positive environmental goals.

Multi-Use Trail - A new 5 mile multi-use trail runs along the southern half of the dedicated CTfastrak guideway, enabling residents to bike, run or walk to local destinations as well as use the trail for recreation.

Stronger Job Climate - Construction of the CTfastrak system has sustained more than 600 construction jobs. Over 90% of the construction workers are Connecticut residents. An additional, 300 to 400 jobs are supporting the construction effort each year.