Rep. Bolinsky Announces Important Public Hearings – CTDOT Proposed Bus and Rail Fare & Service Changes

CTDOT Proposed Bus and Rail Fare and Service Changes

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is conducting virtual public hearings on rail service and fare changes that were previously made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the proposed elimination of the Mail & Ride fare media. The hearings will also cover proposed service changes to CTtransit bus service and minor fare changes on two CTtransit Express bus routes.

Service changes to trains on the New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, Waterbury Line, Shore Line East, and Hartford Line were previously implemented on an emergency basis. No further reductions in rail service are expected. Proposed bus changes include service changes to CTtransit Express bus service to/from Hartford and CTtransit New Haven local service; and minor fare changes for Hartford Express routes 950 and 912.

At these hearings, CTDOT will provide information and accept public comments on the service and fare proposals and the Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis. The SAFE analysis evaluates the proposed changes to determine if they will cause a disparate impact to minority persons or a disproportionate burden to people with low incomes, as defined by the FTA Title VI circular.

Resources

Draft Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) Analysis

Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) Analysis Executive Summary / Resumen Ejecutivo del Análisis de Equidad de Tarifas y Servicios

Summary of Rail Service Changes

Summary of Proposed Express Bus Service Changes and Proposed Schedules

Summary of Proposed New Haven Bus Service Expansion Changes and Proposed Schedules

Summary of Proposed Bus Fare Changes

Summary of Rail Fare Changes and Proposed Fare Changes

CTtransit videos explaining proposed changes for Express Bus and New Haven Local Bus

View a copy of the public hearing notice / Notificación de Audiencias Públicas

Service and Fare Equity Analysis Presentation

To submit comments

You may make a comment at any time from April 29th to May 28th, 2021 by email, phone, mail or the local libraries, using the information below.

• Email:dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov
• Voicemail:(860) 597-8226
• Mail: COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Bureau of Public Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546.

A copy of the draft SAFE analysis will be available at the following public libraries. Written comments will also be accepted at these locations:

• Waterbury’s Silas Bronson Library, Main Branch, 267 Grand Street, Waterbury
• New Haven Free Public Library, Ives Main Library, 133 Elm Street, New Haven
• The Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London
• Hartford Public Library, Downtown Branch, 500 Main Street, Hartford
• Stamford’s Ferguson Library, Main Library, Dimattia Building, One Public Library Plaza, Stamford

To request a copy of the draft SAFE analysis by mail, email us at  dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov  or leave a voicemail at (860) 597-8226. Allow one week for processing and delivery. If your organization would like to request a virtual presentation of the SAFE analysis, email or call using the contact information listed above. CTDOT will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Hearing Format

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the hearings will be conducted virtually using the Zoom online platform and toll-free conference call feature. The public hearings will also be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube (links will be posted in advance of the public hearing). All public hearings will be recorded and published here for later viewing.

Hearing Details

How to Participate

Where: Virtually, on Zoom

How to join: Follow the links in the table above or join by phone, info below.

Registration is currently open. Registration is encouraged; however, it is only required for those would wish to provide a comment during the hearing. Each registrant will have three minutes to speak. To register, please visit click the appropriate link in the table above or call (860) 597-8226 and leave a voicemail with your full name and contact information. Registration will be accepted up to the day of the hearing and will remain open for the duration of the hearing.

To make a comment during a public hearing: Register for the hearing above or by calling (860) 597-8226.

To join a hearing by phone: Individuals can listen to the meeting by calling toll free at 833-548-0282 and entering the Participant Code for the select date when prompted at the time of the hearing.

View-only online

Members of the public who wish only to view the hearings can watch the livestream that will be available on this page. Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube links will be posted in advance of the public hearing.

If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, join by phone using the instructions above.

Accessibility and language assistance services

Persons with hearing and/or speech disabilities may dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS). Zoom provides closed captioning. Also, the live meetings will be shown simultaneously on Microsoft Teams Live Event, which offers non-English translation options.

Language assistance may be requested by contacting the CTDOT’s Language Assistance Call Line (860) 594-2109. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the hearing. Language assistance is made available at no cost and efforts will be made to respond to requests for assistance.

For general questions please email dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or call (860) 597-8226.