Battery Electric Buses to Return to Service on CT’s Roadways on July 31

CTDOT announced today that battery electric buses operated by CTtransit will return to service this coming Monday, July 31, 2023. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Web Version     Connecticut Department of Transportation Battery Electric Buses to Return to Service on Connecticut's Roadways Posted on July 28 , 2023 (Newington, CT) - The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) announced today that battery electric buses (BEB) operated by CTtransit will return to service this coming Monday, July 31, 2023. Connecticut is planning to decarbonize its entire bus fleet by the year 2035 to reduce air pollution and dependency on fossil fuels, creating a brighter tomorrow for all of Connecticut's residents. A battery electric bus uses batteries to power an electric motor for propulsion as well as the bus's auxiliary systems. Connecticut's battery electric buses are classified as zero-emission vehicles, meaning the bus does not emit any tailpipe emissions. CTtransit's battery electric buses have been out of service since July 2022 following a thermal event caused by a defect in the design of the bus that was part of a national recall. The manufacturer recalled the buses, and repairs were made to correct the defect. "The return of these battery electric buses is part of Connecticut's comprehensive effort to improve the quality of life in Connecticut by keeping our air clean," stated CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "These buses operate in areas that are disproportionately burdened by air pollution, and removing diesel emissions is vital to the health and wellbeing of all our residents. In addition to having no emissions, these buses are quieter, provide a smoother ride, and have lower maintenance costs than diesel vehicles." To safely return the BEBs into service, CTDOT worked closely with the bus manufacturer New Flyer, the charger manufacturer ABB, and CTtransit. This work included enhanced training and procedures for operators as well as for those in the maintenance and charging units. In addition, enhancements were made to the battery thermal management systems and monitoring software.  In anticipation of the service return, each battery electric bus underwent a thorough inspection followed by comprehensive road testing to ensure the system updates and enhancements meet the needs of Connecticut's extensive public transportation network.   ### Connecticut Department of Transportation 2800 Berlin Turnpike P.O. Box 317546 Newington, CT 06131-7546 860-594-2000 Twitter You're receiving this email because you opted in to receive notices from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Edit your subscription Unsubscribe instantly

Rail Safety Training Drill this Saturday in Meriden

Emergency response drill provides important training for first responders and personnel. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Web Version     Connecticut Department of Transportation CTDOT Announces Rail Safety Training Drill Will Occur Saturday, July 22 in Meriden Posted on July 19 , 2023 The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a rail safety training drill will occur on Saturday, July 22, 2023, between 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in Meriden. The emergency response exercise is a critical component of ongoing safety training and practice to ensure the highest level of safety along the Hartford Line. The drill will look and sound like a real train crash, including using smoke machines to simulate a fire. Volunteers will assume the roles of injured people involved in the incident. The simulation will consist of calls to on-duty emergency first responders dispatched to the scene and working to rescue crash victims. The training will occur in a rail yard underneath Interstate 691 along State Street Extension, north of the Meriden Rail Station. The Federal Railroad Administration requires the drill, which is a component of ongoing safety training at CTDOT. It is designed to reinforce and fine-tune emergency response protocols of train crews, dispatchers, first responders, and others, as well as the coordination and real-life application of communication and chain-of-command incident management protocols. "This training exercise is an important component of ensuring the safety, preparedness, and responsiveness of first responders, personnel, and staff if there were ever a real-life rail incident. While we don't want these events ever to occur, we must be prepared in case of an emergency," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Public Transportation Bureau Chief Benjamin Limmer. "Loud noises, smoke, and emergency responders will make this training drill seem authentic. Please be assured this is a simulation, and there is no emergency activity in the rail yard." The drill supplements the extensive and ongoing training for all involved groups. After the simulation concludes, participants will meet to share their observations and discuss insights learned from the exercise. CTDOT asks the media and members of the public to refrain from attempting to be onsite for the training exercise. First responders, volunteers, railroad personnel, and participants must fully focus on the training exercise. Members of the media can request photos and videos following the simulation by emailing CTDOTMedia@ct.gov. Connecticut Department of Transportation 2800 Berlin Turnpike P.O. Box 317546 Newington, CT 06131-7546 860-594-2000 Twitter You're receiving this email because you opted in to receive notices from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Edit your subscription Unsubscribe instantly