CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546

FOR RELEASE: February 29, 2016

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062 FAX: (860) 594-3065 WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

CTrail Hartford Line

       The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced that it has selected a Ticket Vending Machine (TVM) System contractor for the CTrail Hartford Line (formerly referred to as the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line). The $3.4 million contract was awarded to Trapeze Software Group, Inc., based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, through a competitive procurement process. Trapeze Software Group will be responsible for designing, assembling and installing TVMs.  The contract also includes operation, service and maintenance of the equipment for a five-year period. 

      A total of 20 state-of-the-art TVMs will be installed at stations with Hartford Line service, including those in New Haven, Wallingford, Meriden, Berlin, Hartford and Springfield. These “kiosks” will be located on platforms and in stations for passengers to quickly and easily purchase tickets before boarding. Each TVM will provide audio and visual messages and instructions, as well as the capability for users to select up to four languages. The TVMs will dispense CTrail regional, Shore Line East, Metro-North Railroad, CTfastrak and CTtransit tickets and discount types, as well as enabling customers to pay for parking at the stations. TVMs will also process bill, coin and credit/debit cards and will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

       “The installation of full-featured TVMs is an example of CTDOT’s commitment to customer satisfaction and positive rail experiences on the Hartford Line.” said Carl Jackson, CTDOT Rail Administrator. “TVMs are just one of the many service amenities that will be offered to riders. “From safety features like automatic platform snow-melt systems and video cameras, to high-quality amenities like electric vehicle charging stations and various display and messaging systems, we are making the customer experience on the Hartford Line as safe, efficient and enjoyable as possible.”

      TVMs will be fully operational when Hartford Line service launches in January 2018.

      The CTrail Hartford Line service will provide more frequent, convenient and faster passenger rail service between New Haven, Hartford and Springfield by increasing the number of round trip trains from six daily Amtrak intercity and regional trains to a total of 17 round trip trains a day to Hartford, and 12 trains per day to Springfield. The expanded service and new stations are expected to increase ridership, improve travel times, expand intermodal transportation options, encourage economic development and create more livable and sustainable communities.