RailBus63 Posted September 21, 2014 Report Share Posted September 21, 2014 Unfortunately, supporting the building of the busway was the easy part because the Federal government had a pot of money available. For CTfastrak to be successful, state and local government will need to commit to subsidies to operate the new and expanded services to let ridership grow. The current service plan calls for not only new routes but many service span increases as well - New Britain's local bus network will go to seven day a week service and operate later in the evenings, for example. My fear would be Foley undercutting CT Transit if he gets elected and gutting those service expansions beyond the New Britain-Hartford main busway service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehartfordboy Posted September 22, 2014 Report Share Posted September 22, 2014 Unfortunately, supporting the building of the busway was the easy part because the Federal government had a pot of money available. For CTfastrak to be successful, state and local government will need to commit to subsidies to operate the new and expanded services to let ridership grow. The current service plan calls for not only new routes but many service span increases as well - New Britain's local bus network will go to seven day a week service and operate later in the evenings, for example. My fear would be Foley undercutting CT Transit if he gets elected and gutting those service expansions beyond the New Britain-Hartford main busway service. Hopefully, people will see how amazing this is and eventually the busway will be extended to buckland and Uconn/Willimantic. Side note: 1101(ex 1081) roasted on the Founder Bridge while coming inbound to be 82c. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=846652792019131&set=a.245179932166423.68761.100000232555928&type=1&theater¬if_t=like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted February 25, 2015 Report Share Posted February 25, 2015 I'd to inform those on CTfastrak while still bumping the thread. 1) The gilligs are BRT Hybrids 2) The MCI's are for the express line 923 throug were through 925. 3) 3 2007 D40LF buses were drafted from CT Transit because of the budget. 4) The LFX have been purchased and have been running training drills on the busway, probably starting numbers at 1460. Finally, the place opens up on 3/28/15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehartfordboy Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 I'd to inform those on CTfastrak while still bumping the thread. 1) The gilligs are BRT Hybrids 2) The MCI's are for the express line 923 throug were through 925. 3) 3 2007 D40LF buses were drafted from CT Transit because of the budget. 4) The LFX have been purchased and have been running training drills on the busway, probably starting numbers at 1460. Finally, the place opens up on 3/28/15 I cant wait. We pretty much bought buses from everyone except ElDorado. I think we all know why. Btw: Hartford finally connects to Waterbury with state services. A year or so from now, we'll be connected to Springfield and New Haven. Now time to go east n invade UCONN n the Casino areas n make Ct one large connected community. Also, get Meriden full service and make better transit connections. Too bad people still want to only see cars as the only way around. But a brother can dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 I cant wait. We pretty much bought buses from everyone except ElDorado. I think we all know why. Btw: Hartford finally connects to Waterbury with state services. A year or so from now, we'll be connected to Springfield and New Haven. Now time to go east n invade UCONN n the Casino areas n make Ct one large connected community. Also, get Meriden full service and make better transit connections. Too bad people still want to only see cars as the only way around. But a brother can dream. "Imagine there is great transit service, its easy if you try" You go. It sounds like CT is getting to be a better place to live and Hartford is gonna be a great place to bus fan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 If you do go for the BRT, Sigourney St station is your pla ce. I also forgot to mention that a D35LFR in New Britain has been branded for CTFASTRAK. 1101 (1081) IIRC is being rebuil the and will be put back into regular CT TRANSIT service. If any have more questions, I'm here for that. And there are still places where a car is needed like Eastern CT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 4, 2015 Report Share Posted March 4, 2015 Another D35LFR has been confirmed:A26 was seen withbthe livery on Hartford's 41 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 If any have more questions, I'm here for that. Great, welcome aboard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)– In just a few weeks you’ll have another way to get around Connecticut. The bus only corridor will be up and running on March 28th and today the state will be taking the rapid transit buses out for a test run. In a few minutes, there will be buses leaving this station and driving their regular routes for the first time ever. We’ve been hearing about the New Britain Busway for a decade or so. Now, CT Fastrak as it’s now called, is getting ready to open. No, you won’t be able to actually ride it for another two and a half weeks, but there will be sort of a dress rehearsal this morning. The bus way is a buses-only roadway going nine and a half miles from downtown New Britain to downtown Hartford. It’s sort of like a rail line, but without the tracks. Just like with a rail line, there are places where the bus way crosses regular surface roads. This morning, the DOT will be running buses for a few hours at rush hour to get people who drive those regular roads accustomed to seeing the buses and stopping for the new traffic lights at the crossings. The buses are special low-emission diesel-electric hybrids that cost a half a million dollars each. The whole busway project cost around half a billion dollars. If you want to try out Fastrak for yourself, it will open for real on Saturday, March 28th. Source: http://wtnh.com/2015/03/10/state-test-runs-ct-fastrak-buses/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 10, 2015 Report Share Posted March 10, 2015 One of the D35LFR's I have been speaking of: . I apologize if the quality is bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 One of the D35LFR's I have been speaking of: . I apologize if the quality is bad Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 11, 2015 Report Share Posted March 11, 2015 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Great article CTfastrak, which opens for service this week! http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-busway-starts-next-week-0322-20150322-story.html#page=1 This is such an exciting new service and should make Hartford Connecticut a magnet for bus fans! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAverageJoe Posted March 23, 2015 Report Share Posted March 23, 2015 Great article CTfastrak, which opens for service this week! http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-busway-starts-next-week-0322-20150322-story.html#page=1 This is such an exciting new service and should make Hartford Connecticut a magnet for bus fans! Have to check it out next month since I will be there for MBS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 25, 2015 Report Share Posted March 25, 2015 Somewhat. Other than CT Fastrak, we just have a volley of D40LFs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 After 4 years in the making, CTFastrak is finally open to the general public Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Sorry for double post today but I have pictures of the first day ! CTFastrak #1442 on the 101 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr CTFastrak #1466 on the 101 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr CTTransit A79 on the 924 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr CTFastrak #1450 on the 121-3 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr CTFastrak #1450 on the 121-2 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr CTFastrak #1450 on the 121 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr And a CTTransit one: CTTransit #738 on the 31 by PVTAguy1825, on Flickr I'll try to get the BRTs Monday and a better LFX photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 Way to go, thanks for the photos! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted March 29, 2015 Report Share Posted March 29, 2015 You are welcome, MAX! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailBus63 Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 I had multiple opportunities to ride CTFastrak last week before and during the Motor Bus Society spring convention. A few thoughts: The busway facility and stations are beautiful and functional – I like the high platforms that line up with the various low-floor buses in use on this service. That said, many drivers are still tentative in lining the bus up with the platform and its rubber ‘bumpers’ (my term) that are meant to close the gaps between the bus and platform edge at the doorways. More than a few drivers slowed way down as they approached the platform and gingerly lined the bus up. Parking is very limited at the stations by design. It is free and we did take advantage on two days, although on the first day there was only one spot available at the Cedar Street station when we arrived at midday. I will be curious to see if any private companies decide to build lots or garages adjacent to the busway to offer an alternative to Hartford’s notoriously expensive parking situation. The buses themselves are comfortable to ride in, although the ride along the busway was a bit bumpier in places than I expected for a new facility. I liked and used the onboard Wi-Fi. Also liked the onboard bicycle storage. The operators were generally friendly and helpful. We rode the NovaBus LFX’s and the New Flyer Xcelsiors – I wanted to ride a Gillig shorty but didn’t have the chance. The fare machines at the busway stations were easy to use, as TVM’s go. The $3 day pass is a bargain. There was no onboard fare enforcement during our visit (I believe it just began this week), so I’ll be interested to see how prevalent they are on future visits. I think CT Transit has done the right thing in putting on a full level of service to encourage acceptance and usage of CTFastrak. Employees at major job centers are assured of service at all hours except the overnight when CT Transit does not operate. Ridership was decent during peak hours and on the main route 101 buses in general but light on some of the supporting routes that go off the busway. I suspect that routes like the 144 and 153 will need to be modified – hourly headways at all times are probably less useful than frequent headways at peak hours and no service at off-peak hours, IMO. The downtown loop is going to be a problem until the city and state bite the bullet and designate dedicated lanes for buses. Heavy traffic on Main St. and Asylum St. during the afternoon rush hour put both CTFastrak and regular CT Transit buses behind schedule, with route 101 buses in particular falling badly behind schedule on one particular day and bunching together. CTFastrak buses are also losing time due to the system’s current lack of a smart card fare payment system. Buses idled at stops at times because regular passholders have to validate their card at the farebox while a few others paid cash. Hopefully the eventual new smart card system will also feature card readers at all doors to eliminate these delays. All in all, the CTFastrak system is very impressive and I’m rooting for its success. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted May 1, 2015 Report Share Posted May 1, 2015 Great report! Thanks for taking the time to share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted May 9, 2015 Report Share Posted May 9, 2015 Some (not surprising) good news! Ridership on CTfastrak, the region’s first true bus rapid transit system, is exceeding expectations. http://blog.tstc.org/2015/05/07/ctfastrak-ridership-exceeds-projections/ CTfastrak has all the ingredients of high-quality BRT! http://streetsblog.net/2015/05/08/connecticuts-new-brt-line-smashes-ridership-expectations/ This baby is world class! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LegoNovaLFS2001 Posted August 17, 2015 Report Share Posted August 17, 2015 Quick question, and a bump, unfortunately, but, does anyone know of any other systems that have buses with a Detroit Diesel Series 40/40E, or is CT Transit the only company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted January 24, 2016 Report Share Posted January 24, 2016 Looks like a CT Transit XDE40 slid down a hill and hit a utility pole. Doesn't sound like anyone was hurt. Photo at the link: http://abruzzo.tv/news/2016/01/24/ct-transit-bus-crashes-with-7-riders-in-greenwich/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
general682002 Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Quick question, and a bump, unfortunately, but, does anyone know of any other systems that have buses with a Detroit Diesel Series 40/40E, or is CT Transit the only company? There's a few in the past for those anyone ordered D30LF but CT will be the largest order for 40ft using Series 40. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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