Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • June 24, 2019 • Hartford Business Journal 7 ing their purchased tickets or passes at more than 70 participating dining, entertainment and shopping options in Connecticut and Massachusetts. "It helps us keep our name out there and keeps us in people's minds," said Lisa Riv- ers, a market- ing manager at DOT, who noted that its partner- ships with small businesses are mutually beneficial. Last October, the state launched the Go CT Card, which allows riders to place funds into a reusable card they can tap on the farebox when boarding CTtransit, CTtransit Ex- press and CTfastrak buses. The card will eventually be available for use on all Hartford Rail Line trips. But unlike fare cards in almost all other states, including the CharlieCard in Massachusetts, the $2 Go CT Card calculates and applies discounts through a capped rate to provide com- muters the lowest-possible fare. The state's so-called "fare-capping" system is one of only three in the U.S., DOT said. Nearly 300 CVS pharmacies, 7-Eleven and Walgreens retailers now sell the cards or allow riders to reload their transit balances. "This takes smart cards to another level," Rivers said. "Once you sign up, you stop thinking about how to get the best fare." CTrides is also thinking environ- mentally in its push to get drivers off the road and into public transit. It recently completed the second an- nual Drive Less Connecticut campaign that aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality by challenging employers to encourage their workers to take fewer car trips in favor of bus, rail, vanpool or carpool. About 380 companies and 1,646 individuals participated in this year's competition, eliminating more than 47,329 car trips and sav- ing 35,680 gal- lons of gasoline, CTrides said. Hartford insurers Aetna and Travelers Cos. are among the most sup- portive employers of the Drive Less Connecticut Campaign and other in- house programs that help spur public transportation, said CTrides Program Manager Russell McDermott. At Aetna, staff are gifted allow- ances of $50 a month for public transportation and Travelers grants employees pre-tax subsidized bus passes through a payroll deduction, among other incentives, officials said. Transit competition Gaming apps and other rewards campaigns are becoming key rider- ship drivers for public-transit agen- cies nationwide, according to Darnell Grisby, a director of policy develop- ment and research for the American Public Transportation Association. Similar to airlines providing loyalty programs, public transit outlets are also adopting more programs aimed at allowing riders to acquire certain points or free products, said Darnell. Cities such as Sacarmento, Calif., Houston, and Richmond, Va., have been particularly innovative and suc- cessful in deploying digital technolo- gies for commuters, he said. "These are ways we could establish stronger bonds with our customers," he said. FOCUS Quality Construction + Butler Manufacturing = Repeat Customers www.borghesibuilding.com © 2011 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing™ is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. 2155 East Main Street • Torrington, Connecticut 06790 Windsor Marketing Group (WMG), Suffield, CT | 2006 | 50,000 sq. ft. 2008 | Addition — 40,000 sq. ft. 2015 | Addition — 80,000 sq. ft. Contact us at 860-482-7613 or visit us on the web. Green Designs will evaluate your space, listen to your vision and goals, and work very collaboratively with you to create exactly the environment you are seeking! 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In the long term, the infrastructure improvements made to State Pier will allow a wider range of cargo to utilize the upgraded port long after the wind industry ceases operations. The efficiencies this injects into the supply chain will benefit indus- tries across Connecticut for decades to come. Q. The Port Authority is involved in projects beyond the shoreline. Can you talk about that? A. We continue to work on projects in 17 communities across Connecti- cut under the Small Harbor Improve- ment Projects Program (SHIPP). We are partnering with localities in places like Norwalk, Wethersfield, Es- sex and Groton to develop maritime infrastructure projects that had been on the drawing board and are now coming to life. Under SHIPP, Connecticut munici- palities may apply for matching funds to conduct projects that improve the infrastructure or management of their local waterways. To date, we've funded 18 projects for just over $4 million. The Go CT Card automatically applies rider discounts. IMAGE | CONTRIBUTED

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