State's Express Bus Service Gets Cash Boost For E Vehicles

State of Connecticut

HARTFORD, CT — The state's CTfastrak bus rapid transit system received a major funding boost courtesy of the federal government, state officials said Tuesday.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said the state Department of Transportation is receiving a $38.9 million competitive grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase 46 battery electric buses and install 29 chargers for the CTfastrak bus rapid transit service.

CTfastrak is Connecticut’s first bus rapid transit system and provides direct service to and from Waterbury, Cheshire, Southington, Bristol, Plainville, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Hartford, and Manchester. It utilizes a bus-only roadway for a portion of the locations it services.

The grant will aid the DOT's project to convert CTfastrak to an all-electric bus fleet.

It is being awarded through the FTA’s Low or No Emission Grant Program, which provides funding through a competitive process to states and transit agencies to purchase or lease low or no-emission transit buses and related facility upgrades.

Approximately $5.6 billion in funding was made available from President Joe Biden’s recently enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for this program to support the replacement of thousands of public transit vehicles nationwide.

The overall $86.6 million project includes purchasing and deploying 46 battery-electric buses for service on CTfastrak routes out of the CTtransit Hartford Division.

The funding will also be used to buy and install 25 depot chargers at the Hartford facility and four on-route chargers at the CTfastrak New Britain Station, in addition to electrical infrastructure.

This project is supported by more than $17 million in matching state funds and $30 million from federal formula funds.

“The new battery-electric buses and chargers will help us meet the growing demand for reliable, efficient, and environmentally-friendly transit options, and will greatly benefit the thousands of residents and commuters who rely on CTfastrak services every day," Lamont said in a statement Tuesday.

"Thank you to the Biden-Harris administration for continuing to invest in green technology that will modernize Connecticut’s public transit system and spur new economic opportunities across the state.”

“Investing in electric buses for the CTfastrak fleet is a forward-thinking move that highlights Connecticut’s dedication to sustainability and innovation. These low-emission vehicles ensure Connecticut will meet its commitment to modernize our public transportation system, ensuring cleaner, quieter, and more efficient travel for our communities," added Eucalitto of the DOT.

"Thank you to the Federal Transit Administration, Gov. Lamont, and Connecticut’s Congressional and state delegations for continuing to support this ambitious modernization initiative.”

Recently, CTfastrak was ranked the best bus rapid transit system in the United States by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.

From its inception in 2015 through June 2024, CTfastrak has carried more than 26.5 million total passenger trips.

For more information on CTfastrak, click on this link.

For the full State of Connecticut announcement, click on this link.