With construction on the interstates, proposed rail service from New Haven to Springfield, Mass., and Tweed New Haven Regional Airport searching for ways to stay in business, Connecticut has become a hub of transportation transformation. Follow continuing coverage here from the New Haven Register.
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced the start of the 2025 Drive Less Connecticut Challenge. The campaign begins today, on Earth Day, and runs through May 31, 2025.
The campaign challenges everyone in Connecticut to drive less and explore more affordable, accessible, and environmentally-friendly transportation options. By reducing car use, individuals and families can reduce the overall costs associated with owning and operating a vehicle while easing traffic congestion and giving people more choices in how they get around. This six-week challenge offers participants who record their eligible trips on the CTrides app chances to win prizes.
The campaign's goals this year are to eliminate 35,000 car trips, save $375,000 on gas and car maintenance, and reduce the travel by single-occupant vehicles by 550,000 miles. In addition, for every 17 car trips eliminated, one tree will be planted through a partnership with One Tree Planted, up to a maximum of 2,000 trees.
"This Earth Day, it is important to all of us to recognize and address the harmful impact of greenhouse gases on our air quality and climate. This campaign asks all Connecticut's residents to do whatever they can to drive less and use greener alternatives wherever they need to go," said Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. "Single-occupant vehicles are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. With continued investments to our infrastructure, expanded bus services, and new pilot programs, we are making public transportation easier and more convenient to use. The Drive Less Challenge is the perfect time for residents to explore these greener transportation options."
"We are excited to support the Drive Less Connecticut Challenge again this year," said Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes. "The transportation sector continues to be the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions and asthma-causing air pollution in our state. This challenge is a great opportunity for residents to consider their transportation habits and the impact they can make by taking actions to reduce emissions such as biking, walking, utilizing public transportation, and carpooling and vanpooling. I encourage everyone to celebrate Earth Day by joining the Drive Less Challenge to deliver cleaner air for residents and fight the climate crisis."
The Drive Less Connecticut Challenge is free and easy to join. Download the CTrides app or go to CTrides.com/DLC to set up a free account and start recording any eligible trips to win a valuable prize. The CTrides app also offers a trip planner that gives residents travel options to destinations throughout Connecticut.
The CTrides app and the Challenge website features a dashboard that tracks the positive impacts and goals of all Drive Less Connecticut Challenge participants. Participants will also receive weekly email updates on their individual contributions to the goals, the number of trips they recorded, and their eligibility for prize drawings. Prize drawings will be held following the campaign's end.
For more information and to sign up and start tracking, visit CTrides.com/DLC.
About CTrides CTrides is the Connecticut Department of Transportation commuter services program designed to provide information on alternate commuting and travel options and services to Connecticut residents, employees, and students, resulting in reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality. Travel options in lieu of driving alone include the train, bus, carpooling, vanpooling, teleworking, and walking or biking. The service is free, and everyone is encouraged to visit CTrides.com or call 877-287-4337
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