(Newington, CT) – The Connecticut Department of Transportation today will recognize Transit Equity Day 2022 with a renewed commitment to providing equitable transportation for all people. Transit Equity Day is observed annually on February 4, to commemorate the life and legacy of Civil Rights leader Rosa Parks on her birthday and her unfinished work to end inequities in transportation.
“Throughout our country’s history, communities of color and other vulnerable communities have faced barriers to reliable public transportation while also being disproportionately impacted by the harmful air pollution caused by transportation,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti. “Reliable, public transportation is an essential part of daily life for many residents, and I’m honored to help support Governor Lamont’s efforts to better connect communities with clean transportation across Connecticut.”
Transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state of Connecticut. In December, Governor Lamont signed an Executive Order directing the CTDOT and all other state agencies to take meaningful actions to reduce carbon emissions. Under the Executive Order, CTDOT can no longer purchase or use state funds to purchase diesel buses after 2023 and must create a roadmap for electrifying the state’s bus fleet by 2035.
The State of Connecticut recently launched CTpass, a program that offers group rates to eligible organizations to access public transportation services throughout Connecticut, including rail and bus systems. Additionally, the state has created a mobility assistance pilot program to help those who are blind or have low vision use public transportation.
Transit operators throughout Connecticut, including CTtransit, will be recognizing Transit Equity Day, with a rose and memorial seat reserved in honor of Rosa Parks, and access to more information about the purpose of Transit Equity Day. To learn more about Transit Equity Day, visit: ct.gov/dot/TransitEquity.