CTfastrak Rollout Not Without Glitches

The much-anticipated CTfastrak busway opened for business Saturday, but it didn't go off without a hitch.

"Well, we took it into Hartford, to go to the home show. Our bus died in downtown Hartford," explained Steve Sanders, of New Britain. "The second bus, it wouldn't start. We had to walk, like, five blocks to get to the Civic Center."

Department of Transportation Transit Administrator Michael Sanders said issues aren't entirely unexpected with a new fleet of buses. Other hiccups, such as electrical schedule board glitches that showed incorrect arrival times, should only need minor tweaks.

Given the weather, Sanders said he's pleased by the number and enthusiasm of opening day riders.

"It's a great system. It reminds me a lot of the things I've seen in Europe," said West Hartford resident Rachel Blatt. "Having the bike racks on the bus is amazing; that was definitely my favorite feature."

But although riders still turned out in Saturday's snowy conditions, the weather exposed some subtler flaws.

"Look at this design," Steve Sanders said, gesturing at a set of wet benches at the covered Elmwood bus station in West Hartford. "You know, you can't sit down."

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