Public Information Meeting on Proposed Additional Rail Service, a Proposed Rail Fare Discount and Proposed Additional Bus Service

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will conduct virtual public hearings on proposed additional rail service, a proposed rail fare discount and proposed additional bus service, including three new bus routes.

Proposed changes for rail include increased service on the Waterbury Line and discounts on CTrail ten trip tickets. Proposed changes for bus service include extra trips on CTtransit Hartford area routes, 512 (Berlin Turnpike) and 24 (Windsor-Bradley Int'l Airport-Windsor Locks). Proposed new bus services include CTtransit New Haven area Route 282 (East Grand Avenue), CTtransit Express Route 940 (Waterbury-Meriden) and a CTtransit Hartford area route, the Bradley-Union Connector.

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. The proposed service and fare changes may be viewed on the Department’s website at www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges and will be available as of Wednesday, April 27, 2022. The public comment period will run from April 27 to May 30, 2022.

The hearings will be conducted virtually via Zoom’s online platform and toll-free conference call feature. The public hearings will also be live streamed via Microsoft Teams Live Event and YouTube. All public hearings will be recorded and published online for later viewing.

For more information on how to attend the public hearings, information on the proposed changes, and to access the SAFE analysis please visit:www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.

To request a copy of the SAFE analysis by mail, please email us at  dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov  or by leaving a voicemail at (860)-594-3612. Please allow one week for processing and delivery. If your organization would like to request a virtual presentation of the SAFE analysis, please email or call using the contact information listed above. The CTDOT will make every effort to accommodate your request.

How to participate in the virtual public hearings:

• Registration is encouraged; however, it is only required for those would wish to provide a comment during the hearing. To register, please visit www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or call (860)-594-3612, 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.
• A link to attend the public hearings and public information sessions will be posted on www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.
• Individuals can listen to the meeting by calling Toll Free 833-548-0282 and entering the Participant Code for the select date when prompted at the time of the hearing.

  DATE	Participant Code
  Wednesday, May 11, 2022	863 7738 8625
  Thursday, May 12, 2022	854 7558 9773

   

• 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 5 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.

Recordings of the hearings and formal presentation will be posted to YouTube with closed captioning, including non-English translation options. Links will be provided at www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges.

How to submit comments: 

• You may make a comment at any time from April 27th to May 30th, 2022 by email, phone, US Mail or the local libraries, using the information below.
• To make a comment during a public hearing: Register for the hearing at www.ct.gov/dot/proposedtransitchanges or by calling (860)-594-3612.
• Email:dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov
• Voicemail: (860) 594-3612
• US Mail: COMMENT ON PROPOSED FARE AND SERVICE CHANGES, Bureau of Public Transportation, P.O. Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131-7546.

A copy of the 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

-  Bridgeport Public Library Main Branch, 925 Broad Street, Bridgeport

For general questions please email us dot.proposedtransitchanges@ct.gov or call (860)-594-3612.