The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) honors Transit Equity Day 2023 with an unwavering commitment to providing safe, sustainable, and accessible public transportation throughout Connecticut. Transit Equity Day is observed on February 4 every year to commemorate the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks on her birthday and recognize that work is still needed to remove barriers to transportation access.

“On Transit Equity Day, we unequivocally state that access to public transportation is a right all people should enjoy. A person’s zip code or tax bracket should not matter. Our communities deserve public transportation that helps break down barriers to health care, education, and employment,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “CTDOT will continue focusing on making public transit easier to use, investing in more sustainable solutions, and creating a more appealing system for users.”

Public transportation connects people to jobs, health care, schools, grocery stores, housing, businesses, and more. CTDOT is always striving to eliminate barriers to transit and improve services. Through the CTDOT Customer Experience Team, an Action Plan is being finalized based on feedback and input from public transportation users in 2022. CTDOT will use this plan to develop priority areas and actions to improve public transportation across the state.

A partnership with the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation allows the free training of guide dogs on CTrail trains along the Hartford Line and Shore Line East. This partnership helps enhance accessibility and mobility as more dogs are trained to guide rail service users safely.

For those unfamiliar with public transportation, CTrides, a free service of the CTDOT, can help residents find convenient public transit options and assist with route planning and commuting options. CTDOT has also launched the “Transit is a Trip” rider engagement campaign to encourage more people to utilize the state’s robust rail and bus services. Free WiFi continues to be offered on CTtransit buses statewide to help all passengers navigate the system and keep riders connected while they ride. All public transit buses remain fare-free until March 31, 2023.

Transit operators throughout Connecticut, including CTtransit, will be recognizing Transit Equity Day this Saturday, February 4, 2023, with a memorial seat reserved in honor of Rosa Parks.

To learn more about Transit Equity Day, visit ct.gov/dot/TransitEquity.