Along The Lines

Join host Ben Limmer, Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Department of Transportation, in this special episode as he recaps the transformative year of 2023. From groundbreaking projects to innovative programs, Limmer highlights significant accomplishments that have shaped Connecticut's transportation landscape. Tune in as he shares these highlights and insights into plans for an exciting year ahead!

In the latest episode of Along the Lines, host Ben Limmer and special guests Rahmane Camara (Transportation Planner 2 at the Connecticut Department of Transportation) and Carmine Fiore (Regional Sales Manager at New Flyer) discuss Connecticut's bold journey to electrify its entire bus fleet by 2035. Learn how this green initiative addresses climate change and improves air quality in Connecticut an...

Tune in to the latest episode of Along the Lines with host Ben Limmer and discover details about the Connecticut Department of Transportation's (CTDOT) recent Customer Experience Action Plan. Special guests Alicia Leite and Doug Holcomb share customer feedback and their insights on CTDOT's initiatives to improve the quality of public transit in Connecticut. Don't miss this episode to learn more ab...

Technology has had a transformative impact on public transit. It has changed how we navigate our cities from bus systems, to planning strategies, and fare payment methods. The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has recently implemented Token Transit – the app that's changing the game for CT transit riders with smartphone-based fare payments. Join host Ben Limmer with expert guests: T...

Welcome back, listeners! Get ready for an exciting return of "Along the Lines" as we introduce our new host, Benjamin Limmer, Public Transportation Bureau Chief at the CTDOT. In this episode, we'll dive into Ben's inspiring vision for a sustainable, innovative, and collaborative transit future in CT. Join us in giving a warm welcome to Ben and discover the ambitious goals that lie along the lines...

Earlier this year, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) initiated the Customer Experience Action Plan as a way to collect customer feedback and input regarding future programs, policies, and investments to improve public transportation in Connecticut.  Tune in to this new episode and join guest host Alicia Gonzalez, CTDOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti, and CTDOT Transportation Supe...

Join Rich Andreski as he hosts his last episode of the Along the Lines podcast. As he reflects on the past 7 years as Bureau Chief of Public Transportation at the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Rich discusses the highlights, success, accomplishments, and future plans for the CTDOT. While we must bid farewell to our esteemed host, Along the Lines continues with exciting plans for future...

As a major transportation hub for Connecticut, New Haven Union Station is the epicenter of rail connections to New York City, Hartford, New London, Springfield, Boston, Washington, D.C., and points in between. It also welcomes travelers with magnificent architecture, ornate ceilings, and unique designs. On this episode, Rich Andreski and his guests will discuss the historic agreement that will red...

Summer is right around the corner and the ParkConneCT program has returned for your outdoor adventures! A collaboration with the Connecticut Departments of Transportation (CTDOT) and Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), ParkConneCT will provide safe and reliable transportation to several state parks. Free shuttle connections will be available to access Hammonasset Beach, Silver Sands, Fort...

Urban renewal left a legacy of broken neighborhoods in Hartford and other cities. The development of Interstates 91 and 84 allowed for faster transportation into the city but also destroyed neighborhoods and cut the city off from the Connecticut River. Today, programs like iQuilt and the Hartford 400 plan are actively working to reverse this trend and reconnect Hartford's neighborhoods. Tune in to...

Waterbury is a significant hub for Connecticut's rail network. The Waterbury Line connects people in Waterbury and the Naugatuck Valley to New Haven, New York and all points in-between. The recently upgraded Waterbury Line boasts many features that improve operations and our customers' experience.  Join Rich Andreski and guests from the Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments and the CTDOT Office...

Public transportation connects our communities in many ways, especially for job seekers and those entering the workforce. As Connecticut's economy continues to develop and companies are looking to fill open positions, it is critical that our transportation systems are up-to-date and are aligned to meet our rider's needs. Tune in to this episode to hear Rich Andreski and his guests discuss the impo...

For many Connecticut residents, the bus plays a vital role in their day-to-day lives. As technology continues to advance and commute patterns shift, our bus systems must also be enhanced and stay up-to-date to meet the rider's needs. Electric buses, expanded service hours, real-time signage, and express buses are just a few of the improvements riders have seen.  On this episode, join host Rich And...

E-scooters and e-bikes are small, "micromobility" vehicles, powered by electricity or manual power. They save money on gas, and help the environment. Microtransit is an innovative on-demand transit service that can bridge the gap between public transportation trips. On this episode of Along the Lines, join host Rich Andreski and his guests to learn how both micromobility and microtransit are expan...

For those who are blind or have low vision, navigating life is not easy. Even something as simple as taking a bus or train comes with challenges. With the new pilot program Aira, riders can now live stream through their phone's camera and connect to personal agents who can help them navigate by describing their surroundings. Tune in to hear more about the CTDOT and the Department of Aging and Disa...

We all know green commuting is great for the earth and our state, but most residents don't think about it as part of their day-to-day life. On this episode, we speak with three guests who DO use green commuting options on a daily basis, and they have some wonderful and positive stories to tell about how it has impacted their lives. Sit back, listen, and hear some exciting and inspiring stories abo...

Tens of thousands of Connecticut's community college and state university students have traveled with the U-Pass CT program. Students at participating schools received the U-Pass CT card, which provides unlimited use of any public transportation. This program has also eliminated another barrier to higher education.  Join host Rich Andreski as he speaks with guests from the Department of Transporta...

In Connecticut, 38% of all greenhouse gases come from transportation! Our everyday choices of how we travel around the state have a lasting impact on the climate where we live, work and play. In this episode of Along the Lines, join host Rich Andreski and his guests from the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA) as they...

2021 was yet another year of uncertainty and change! But more importantly, it was a year of continued adaptation and ultimate growth. Essential workers such as our bus drivers and train conductors, continued to persevere, vaccines became readily available, and public transportation ridership numbers grew.   In this episode of Along the Lines host Rich Andreski reflects on the accomplishments from...

From Mystic Seaport and Aquarium, to Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos and resorts, and the picturesque beaches of the Long Island Sound, there's no denying that Southeastern Connecticut is filled with historic and world-class tourist attractions that draw millions of visitors from near and far each year. Tune in to this episode of Along the Lines as host Rich Andreski speaks with guests from the S...

Finding transportation options can seem overwhelming for our fellow citizens who are restricted by age, mobility issues, or cognitive and physical disabilities. However, with the services of Mobility Management as identified in The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, these individuals are provided assistance in navigating their way to accessible transportation. In this episode, join hos...

In 1959, the lively neighborhoods of New Haven, CT were disrupted and separated by the development of the Route 34 expressway. After nearly half a century, they will be reconnected through the Downtown Crossing project. This project will make the city safer, more accessible for pedestrians, and restore the urban street environment bringing economic opportunities to New Haven residents. In this epi...

Connecticut has the nation's oldest continuously operating ferry service. Since the 1700s, the Connecticut State Ferry system has moved goods, passengers, bikes, and now cars across the Connecticut River. Today people use the ferries as part of their commute, but they play an important role in tourism and economic development in the region. Tune in to this new episode of Along the Lines and join R...

Returning to the Office – many employers and employees are wondering what that looks like and how it will evolve. On this episode of Along the Lines, we'll review a recent survey commissioned by the CT DOT to gauge the attitudes and intentions of commuters as workplaces start to reopen. Join series host Rich Andreski as he speaks with two experts Michael Vigeant, CEO of GreatBlue Research, and Dav...

In this second episode of The Future of Cities series, Rich is joined by two special guests - Brent Toderian, International Consultant and Founder of Toderian UrbanWorks, and Lynn Haig, Director of Planning at the City of Bridgeport. Tune in as they discuss how travel patterns have changed in Connecticut during the pandemic, including the increase in the use of bike and scooter-share programs, and...