Study: Transit Benefits Economy, Environment

HARTFORD — Reducing traffic congestion, creating healthier communities and helping the economy are all benefits of implementing a diverse package of enhancements recommended in the “Transit for Connecticut Bus Study,” released March 19 in Hartford.

State Senator Donald DeFronzo, co-chairman of the Transportation Committee, was joined by members of the Transit for Connecticut Coalition to release the results of the recently completed study that gives “insight into unmet bus transit needs,” Sen DeFronzo said.

“The benefits are economic, environmental, and social,” said Sen DeFronzo, who talked about the funding plan and it being phased in over five years. He also said that it is a “relatively” small investment and gives a great benefit in a short period of time.

“It’s a modest investment supported by a broad-based coalition,” said Joe McGee, vice president of public policy and programs for the Business Council of Fairfield County. “Job growth is tied to transportation,” he added.

“Increased bus transit offers benefits to both the economy and the environment,” said Curt Johnson, program director and senior attorney with Connecticut Fund for the Environment. “Increased bus transit will remove cars from roads and break up congestion and cut down on diesel fumes. It is a great bipartisan issue.”

“The coalition presented a balanced and diverse package of enhancements to bus service that will benefit Connecticut residents, employers, and employees,” said Transit for Connecticut Coalition Coordinator Karen Burnaska. “Bus transit is a key component in maintaining and improving the state’s economic vitality,” Ms Burnaska said.

The proposal will outline how increased bus transit will benefit the state by:

*Growing Connecticut’s economy by linking more of the workforce with employers, reducing traffic congestion and improving access to better jobs;

*Creating healthier and more sustainable communities by improving the statewide bus-rail system, encouraging responsible growth and increasing transportation choices; and

*Reducing automobile and bus emissions, thereby reducing toxic diesel pollution, smog-forming pollution, and global warming pollution.

A five-year investment plan has the potential to increase bus ridership by as much as 80 percent by increasing the hours and frequency of service in heavily used and overcrowded routes, providing more weekend bus service, expanding Dial-A-Ride options, increasing commuter connections to rail stations, expanding express bus service to major employment centers, and increasing interregional service to improve access to jobs.

Funding for the “Transit for Connecticut Bus Study” was provided by One Region Fund.