$38.9M grant will help convert CTfastrak to all-electric bus fleet

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — The state’s bus rapid transit system is getting a new all-electric fleet with the help of federal funding.

With a $38.9 million check from the Federal Transit Administration’s Low or No Emission grant program, the DOT plans to buy 46 electric buses and 29 chargers.

“Today, Connecticut is transforming our transportation system by protecting our air, our water and our shared future,” Peter Butler, federal transit administration Region 1 administrator, said.

CTFastrak service started in 2015. Ben Limmer, the DOT Bureau of Public Transportation Chief, said a bus lasts about 12 years.

Riders said it’s time for an upgrade.

“The AC really doesn’t work, it’s really hot on the bus. It really makes everything muggy,” Hartford resident Anaya Moten said.

The plan for the electric buses is to look modern, sleek and have more space for bike racks. The bus fare will stay the same and all new electric buses will have air conditioning, Wi-Fi and cell phone charging ports.

DOT currently has 55 electric buses under CT transit.

“Going electric does reduce overall costs both on the operation side, reduction in fuel consumption and but also on the maintenance side,” Limmer said.

CTfastrak uses a “bus-only” road, providing direct service to ten municipalities in and around the Greater Hartford area. Looking at the past two years, about 8,000 people used CTfastrak per weekday on average, according to data from DOT. Gov. Ned Lamont expects that number to increase.

“Over the next five, ten years, there’s going to be a lot of work in and around Hartford on i-84 and I think this is going to be a really important exit ramp to get people in and out so they don’t have to be in all that traffic,” he said.

DOT said this change is part of their commitment to be carbon-free by 2035. Riders are on board with that promise too.

“Gas prices are getting higher, so the electrical would be more efficient and working for the earth too because it doesn’t give off gas and stuff like that,” New Britain resident Anasia Turner said.

DOT said the new buses will be integrated by 2027.

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