VHB recently celebrated the launch of a new contactless fare payment pilot program in Connecticut, attending a press conference held jointly by representatives from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). Held at the Meriden Train Station in Meriden, Connecticut, the event introduced the Tap & Ride pilot, an inclusive and contactless open-fare payment system for select transit lines within the state.
Funded through the USDOT’s Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant program, CTDOT is pursuing this pilot program and the larger Connecticut Integrated Transit Mobility Project (CT-ITMP) to provide contactless fare payments, incorporate fare-capping, improve inter-agency trip planning across the state, and supply customer verification for those who qualify for discounted passes. The overarching goal is to improve customer service, provide timely information, and facilitate seamless travel across the state.
As part of the Tap & Ride pilot deployment team, VHB coordinated public engagement efforts, facilitating both public and operator focus groups as well as online surveys to assess user needs. Our team also supported CTDOT in the procurement and selection of the payment system vendor and oversaw the equipment installation and training.
VHB is proud to be working with CTDOT to plan and develop a roadmap for statewide rollout of the CT-ITMP. Over the next few months, VHB will be continuing the community engagement process; monitoring the performance of the Tap & Ride pilot; and identifying the critical next steps for the planned statewide CT-ITMP vision. This roadmap will enable CTDOT to pursue a “one stop shop” for all things mobility—integrating transit, rail, micro transit, micromobility, rideshare, and parking. VHB will also be supporting CTDOT in pursuit of a second round of SMART grant funding to support the statewide implementation.
Speaking at the October 8th event were Ben Levine, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at USDOT, Connecticut State Senators Jan Hochadel and Matthew Lesser, Benjamin T. Limmer, the Public Transportation Chief for CTDOT, and Joseph Comerford of River Valley Transit.
Learn more about VHB’s efforts to promote Equity in the Built Environment, as well as our experience delivering innovative Transit & Rail solutions. To learn more about the CT-ITMP project, contact Ryan Fetchko or Maggie Maddox.
