Hartford Business Journal

30 ConneCTiCuT Green Guide • SprinG 2014 www.CTGreenGuide.com ADvoCATe CoRneR Expanding Transit Dependable rail and increased bus service will grow economy By Karen Burnaska and Chris Cryder T ransit is emerging as one of the major drivers of our state's economy. A vibrant, multi-model transit system reduces time-sucking road congestion, im- proves public health by reducing air pollution, and provides options for workers and goods to get where they need to go. Train commuters took 39 million rides on Metro- North in 2013 and 600,000 on Shore Line East; bus riders took another 41 million trips. The problems with Metro- North in the last two years illustrate the importance and fragility of our rail system. Without frequent and predictable rail service, road congestion skyrockets. Connecticut's leaders must find the political will- power to make the investments needed to ensure our rail lines are safe and reliable. And Connecticut's busi- ness leaders must back them up. According to DataHaven, 84 percent of registrants to the state jobs program CTWorks said lack of transport was their biggest barrier to finding a job. We can change that. Expanding city bus schedules will serve workers who work late shifts, and improving inter-city linkages can connect affordable neighborhoods to job centers. A dependable transit network can not only shuttle commuters to and fro efficiently but also spur economic development around train and bus stations. Transit-Ori- ented Development, or TOD, blends commercial, housing, and office development to create compact zones to en- courage walking and biking and connect to public trans- portation. That lets people live near jobs and builds tight, friendly communities for residents and businesses. The construction of the New Britain — Hartford bus rapid transit project, known as CTfastrak, and the planned upgrades to the New Haven — Hartford — Springfield rail line have inspired developers in both corridors to move forward with TOD projects. In New Britain, officials plan to sell the former police station, located a block from one of the town's three CT- fastrak stations, for private development. A developer is considering transforming a New Britain high-rise into a condominium with commercial space. Firms in New- ington are pursuing development of a four-acre parcel around the Cedar Street bus station. Montreal-based developer Live Work Learn Play is investing $360 million in a hotel, office, retail, and mixed-income residential development on the former New Haven Coliseum property, to include improved pe- destrian and bike access to Union Station. Construction could begin this summer. Stamford, too, has increased interest in projects around its train station. As rail improvements and CTfastrak come into service, they'll attract further development. Long-term planning and investments to ensure well-maintained infrastructure will give investors the confidence to put proposals into action and attract new residents and ventures to our state. Karen Burnaska is the coordinator of Transit for Connecticut, which is administered out of Connecticut Fund for the environment. Chris Cryder is CFe special projects coordinator.

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