CTfastrak – Transit at the Speed of Life
2015 NEITE Annual Meeting
December 7, 2015
Format for Today
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Introduction
History
Project Challenges – Administrative and Physical
Overcoming Challenges
What Makes CTfastrak Different?
Technological Evolution/Innovation
Measures of Success
CTfastrak Bus Rapid Transit System
• Connecticut’s FIRST bus rapid
transit system (BRT)
• Opened March 28, 2015
• Mainline connecting Hartford
West Hartford, Newington,
New Britain
• Part of a larger regional
transportation system with
multiple stops and routes
How Did We Get Here?
• Joint study: ConnDOT, CRCOG, CCRPA, Towns
• I-84 Corridor West of Hartford including Arterial
Roadways, Neighborhoods, Rail Lines
• Alternatives Studied; Modes and Corridors
– Commuter Rail
– Light Rail
– Bus Rapid Transit
– High-Occupancy Vehicle Lanes
– Highway Widening
How Did We Get Here?
Locally Preferred Alternative: Busway and Package
of Other Improvements
Why Was the Busway the Preferred Option?
• Highest Ridership
• Best Congestion Management Outcomes
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Development Opportunities
What is BRT?
• Bus Rapid Transit (BRT ) is state-of-the-art
transit service
– Running way
– Stations –platform
height
– Vehicles – propulsion,
esthetics
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Fare collection
ITS elements
Service plan
Branding of BRT
Busway Project Goals?
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User Benefits for Riders
Benefits for Residents
TOD/Economic Development
Regional Rail Connections
Travel Alternative in the Corridor
Air Quality
Multi-Use Trail
Employment Impact
Project Challenges- Administrative
 Generating public support
 Multiple stakeholders, 7 design
firms, 10 prime contractors
 14 construction contracts
 Portion of program funded
under full funding agreement
with FTA
 Cost accounting system
 Aggressive construction
schedule
 Systems start-up
Project Challenges- Physical
 Busway runs along active and
inactive railroad corridors
 Share right-of-way with Amtrak
 Amtrak C&S and utility relocation
 Capacity – Roadways, Intersections,
Platforms
 Integrate intelligent transportation
systems – (CAD/AVL, VMS, TVMs,
Fareboxes)
 Designer and municipality
coordination
 Maintenance issues
Newington
Junction Station
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Pre-Cast Concrete Arch – Cedar Street, Newington
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Flatbush Avenue Overpass
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Wall & Bridge Construction at Flatbush Avenue Bridge
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GeoFoam Fill
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GeoFoam Fill
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Project Challenges- Physical
 Busway runs along active and
inactive railroad corridors
 Share right-of-way with Amtrak
 Amtrak C&S and utility relocation
 Capacity – Roadways,
Intersections, Platforms
 Integrate intelligent transportation
systems – (CAD/AVL, VMS, TVMs,
Fareboxes)
 Designer and municipality
coordination
 Maintenance issues
Overcoming the Challenges
Coordination
Public
Engagement
Use of
Technology
Service
Planning
Coordination
 During final design, coordinated
among 7 design firms
 During construction, coordinated
the work of 10 prime contractor
through 14 contracts
 Established program office
 Enlisted partnering agent to
facilitate contract negotiations and
resolve issues
 Guideway completion tied to:
 Vehicle procurement
 ITS installations
 Bus operator hiring/training
Coordination
 Aggressive construction schedule
required careful program and
construction management
 Start of revenue operations: March
28, 2015
 Keys to success
 Proper schedule planning
 Evaluation of constraints
 Use of monthly updates and
reporting
Public Engagement
 Extensive market research
 Campaign focus on target
audience
 Over 200 public meetings and 150
outreach events
 Open house meetings
 Gather public input
 Short presentations
 Q&A
 Staff interaction
 Project Website
 Social Media
 CTfastrak Rewards
Project Website
Social Media
Service Planning
Local Service Map
This Is Not Your Father’s
Oldsmobile – or Buick
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Level Boarding at
CTfastrak Stations
Low-Floor Buses
Free Wi-Fi on the Bus
Multi-Use Trail - Before
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• Multi-Use Trail - After
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Bicycle Accommodations
Bikes Stowed On Board 40’ and 60’ CTfastrak Buses
• For bike storage, use
the rear door
• Keep bike on your
left when entering
the bus
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Trip Planning
Online Trip Planner
“Transit App”
for iPhone and Android Phones and Tablets
Real time
bus info!
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Google Maps now has real time bus information
Real-Time Bus Arrival Information
Fare Technology
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Defining Success - Ridership
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
Express
CTfastrak
5,000
Hartford Local
4,000
New Britain Local
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
May
June
July
August
September
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Public Transportation Saves Money
• Average household spends 17.5 cents of every
dollar on transportation
• 94% of this goes to buying, maintaining, and
operating cars, the largest expenditure after
housing.
• What could you do with an extra $10,000 a year?
Source – American Public Transportation Association
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Transportation and Millennials
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Transportation and Not-Yet-Millenials
Defining Success - Businesses
Defining Success
craigslist
“Two Bedroom/Two
Bathroom Walk to
CTfastrak (New Britain)
$1095 / 2br - 940ft2”
Lessons Learned
 Ensure coordination
between design elements,
operating requirements and
specialized systems and
equipment (buses, ITS, etc.)
 Engage highway
maintenance operations
early in the planning process
 Allow sufficient time to
develop and complete tasks
such as service planning,
operational plans, bus
operator hiring and training
Positive Outcomes/Experiences
 Ridership numbers have exceeded pre-opening day
expectations.
 New branding has drawn interest of riders
 Introduction of new technologies
 Expanding with CTfastrak East and CTfastrak Fairfield Co.
 Looking to expand our parking areas
 TOD - Economic development opportunities
 Business and Customer Incentives – CTfastrak Rewards
 CTfastrak being used for entertainment, college students
www.ctfastrak.com
Transit at the Speed of Life
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