Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto marked the tenth anniversary of CTfastrak with a ceremony in New Britain. The celebration, attended by officials, transit advocates, business owners, developers, and commuters, highlighted CTfastrak’s development over the past decade.
CTfastrak, Connecticut’s inaugural regional bus rapid transit system, began operations on March 28, 2015. Managed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the system includes ten bus routes linking Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, and Manchester. A significant feature of the service is the 9.4-mile dedicated roadway between New Britain and Hartford, facilitating a one-seat ride without transfers to numerous key destinations and rail connections.
Since its inception, CTfastrak has facilitated over 28.5 million passenger trips, currently accommodating around 14,000 weekday trips. Route 101 stands out as the busiest route in the state, with 1.1 million passengers annually. The service has also stimulated transit-oriented development, with projects exceeding $550 million near the stations.
In 2024, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy recognized CTfastrak as the top bus rapid transit system in the United States.
“Take one look at any neighborhood that has a CTfastrak station and compare it with how those areas were doing ten years ago and you will note the hundreds of new units of housing and the many new businesses that have established operations in these communities over the last decade,” Governor Lamont stated. “CTfastrak’s impact extends beyond providing commuters with convenient public transit. It is revitalizing communities and showing the direct connection between our transportation system and the growth of vibrant communities where people want to live, work, and play.”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation is committed to adapting CTfastrak’s services in response to customer feedback and evolving ridership trends.
“CTfastrak has done more than connect communities — it’s reshaped the state’s economy and set the gold standard in the U.S. for bus rapid transit,” Commissioner Eucalitto noted. “This success proves that when government, local leaders, and the private sector collaborate, we can deliver results that help residents and businesses thrive.”
For additional information on CTfastrak, access cttransit.com/services/ctfastrak.
