CT to Develop Unified Statewide Public Transit Information System for Mobile Devices

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is receiving a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop a unified, statewide public transit information system for mobile devices.  The grant, announced recently, is being awarded through the competitive Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) discretionary grant program, which was created as part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

State officials indicated that CTDOT will use the funding to support the Connecticut Integrated Transit Mobility Project (CT-ITMP), which includes the development of a system for mobile devices that will integrate public transit information across Connecticut, while also allowing users to pay fares directly from their smartphones.

Plans are for the system to incorporate real-time arrival information for Connecticut’s entire public transportation system, resulting in a better customer experience while promoting equitable access to transportation.

“By making transit more accessible and easier to use, more people will use our public transportation system,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto.  “This grant allows us to plan and create an easy to use, one-stop shop for all things transit in Connecticut.”  

Connecticut’s public transit system provides more than 43 million annual passenger trips on bus and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) service and more than 41 million annual passenger trips on rail service.

During Stage 1 Planning, CTDOT will seek input and feedback from stakeholders, including Connecticut transit service providers and community organizations. Planning and development will be ongoing in 2023 and 2024.

The $2 million in grant funding awarded is the maximum allowed for Stage 1 Planning. With CTDOT having received this funding, which includes no local cost share, the agency is now eligible for a Stage 2 Implementation grant of upwards of $15 million.

CTDOT is partnering with the California Integrated Travel Project and RATP Dev USA on CT-ITMP.

“Thank you to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Connecticut’s Congressional delegation for supporting this grant and understanding the value and importance of public transit in Connecticut,” Eucalitto added.