Press Releases
02/25/2021
CONNECTICUT MASCOTS TEAM UP FOR AN IMPORTANT “MASK-OT” MESSAGE ON KEEPING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SAFE DURING COVID-19
Today, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) released a public service announcement (PSA) campaign featuring popular Connecticut team mascots reminding public transit passengers to not get sidelined by COVID-19. The PSAs showcase Connecticut Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz with some heavy hitters, including: Hartford Athletic, Blaze from the Connecticut Sun, Chompers from the Hartford Yard Goats, Storm from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Howie the Hawk from the University of Hartford and Big Red from Sacred Heart University.
The five PSAs score big with messages about wearing masks, socially distancing and hand sanitizing:
- Waiting Together, Apart
- Forgot Your Mask? Just Ask
- Social Distance Training
- Defensive Player
- Handoff
“A healthy and safe public transit system is fundamental to Connecticut’s economy and to the livelihoods of many residents of Connecticut. Through this PSA, we hope to increase ridership among Connecticut residents and encourage more people to safely use our public transit systems,” said Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “The Governor and I welcome the team efforts of CTDOT’s frontline workers, support staff and commuters who take extraordinary precautions to keep themselves and their neighbors safe during this time.”
“We have to continue to team up in combating COVID-19 because playing around with your health and the health of others is no game,” said CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “The health and safety of our customers, drivers, conductors and staff is paramount to us. Our passengers have done a marvelous job of taking precautions while riding our buses and trains. This campaign is just a reminder to not let our guard down as the vaccination effort has only just begun.”
As part of the efforts to prevent transmission of the coronavirus on Connecticut’s public transportation system, CTDOT and its operators have taken many steps such as requiring passengers to wear masks and social distancing while on the bus or train or within stations, providing masks to passengers without them, installing barriers between bus customers and the operator, promoting the use of touchless fare payment such as the Go CT fare card and CTrail eTix app, and enhanced cleaning procedures.
On January 29, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a mask requirement for travelers on public transportation. More information about the travel guidance is available from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The “MASK-OTS” PSA campaign will be promoted through social media channels, at New Haven Union Station, and other media outlets. The campaign can be viewed on the CTrides YouTube channel.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: 860-594-3003
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/CTDOTOfficial