How Your Go CT Card Calculates The Lowest Fare
Picking the Right Payment Option for Your Commute
For customers who ride at least three (3) consecutive days per week, the Go CT card is a better value than using a 10-ride ticket.
The 10-ride ticket offers customers a flat 10% discount (buy 9 rides, get 1 free). But thanks to fare capping, a customer using a Go CT card who commutes five (5) days per week will receive a 20% discount (pay for 8 rides, get 2 rides free). The Go CT card is a better value for three (3) and four (4) day per week commuters too. Some examples, using local fares, below.
If you need assistance in determining the best way to pay for your travel, call the Go CT help desk at 877-255-7433.
Go CT card weekly savings
Local Commuter Riding 5 Days per Week (example)
| Payment Method | MON | TUES | WED | THU | FRI | Total Paid | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $17.50 | -- |
| 10-ride ticket | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | $15.75 | 10% off |
| Go CT card | $3.50 | $3.50 | $1.75 | $3.50 | $1.75 | $14.00 | 20% off |
Local Commuter Riding 4 Days per Week (example)
| Payment Method | MON | TUES | WED | THU | FRI | Total Paid | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | -- | $14.00 | -- |
| 10-ride ticket | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | -- | $12.60 | 10% off |
| Go CT card | $3.50 | $3.50 | $1.75 | $3.50 | -- | $12.25 | 12.5% off |
Local Commuter Riding 3 Days per Week (example)
| Payment Method | MON | TUES | WED | THU | FRI | Total Paid | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| cash | $3.50 | $3.50 | $3.50 | -- | -- | $10.50 | -- |
| 10-ride ticket | $3.15 | $3.15 | $3.15 | -- | -- | $12.60 | 10% off |
| Go CT card | $3.50 | $3.50 | $1.75 | -- | -- | $8.75 | 16.7% off |
About Fare Capping
With the Go CT Card system, customers will now be able to take advantage of fare capping. Fare capping is a pay-as-you-go system that guarantees you will not pay more than the lowest authorized fare for any period of travel, without having to pay the full cost of a pass in advance.
If you ride enough in any given time period to have earned a discount, your fare will be capped at that level. If you ride less, you pay for what you rode.
Fare capping provides customers with the flexibility of paying daily with cash with the discounts of purchasing a longer term pass, without having to make the upfront payment for a pass, and avoids the risk that some of the pre-purchased pass value will go unused.
Customers can use the Go CT Card to ride any bus in the CTtransit and CTfastrak systems. Once you load money into the account by depositing a minimum of $10, simply tap your card on the fare reader. You can now ride for 2 hours without any additional charge.
At the end of the day, the value of all the rides taken will be calculated and deducted from your account. If any of the existing fare discounts apply, the amount deducted from your account will be limited to the cap, not the actual value of rides that you took.
With fare capping a rider on a local bus can now make as many trips as they want, but will not be charged more than*:
- $3.50 per day OR
- $8.75 for any consecutive 3-day period (vs. $10.50) OR
- $14 for any consecutive 5-day period (vs. $17.50) OR
- $19.25 for any consecutive 7-day period (vs. $24.50) OR
- $63 for any consecutive 31-day period (vs. $108.50)
For passengers who ride CTtransit Express multi-zone buses, the Go CT Card introduces a new set of discounts based on daily 3, 5, and 7 day fare caps, similar to those available for local bus riders. These discounts are only available through use of the Go CT Card.
In addition, users of the Go CT Card can also receive the benefit of a 31-day pass discount without advance purchase.
Public Backed Service Expansions Now Underway!
New Bus Routes Available in New Britain, Berlin, Meriden, Plainville, Southington, and Stamford
When the public talks, CT transit listens.
In March of this year, the Connecticut Department of Transportation implemented new bus routes, now serving communities in New Britain, Berlin, Meriden, Plainville, Southington, and Stamford. These new bus routes will bolster connectivity and amplify coverage throughout central Connecticut.
“Public transit is more than just a mode of transportation; it is a lifeline that connects individuals to career opportunities, businesses to customers, and communities to growth,” said General Manager of CT transit, Thomas Stringer. “A robust public transportation system is essential for driving economic impact and supporting local businesses.”
But wait, there’s more!
This service expansion is just the beginning of a series of upcoming expansions, totaling more than $18 million, proposed by Governor Ned Lamont and supported by local legislature. These new routes will provide greater access to a broader range of employment centers and career opportunities across the region, ultimately enhancing residents' career prospects and improving their quality of life.
“This major bus service expansion is the latest effort to connect customers with critical jobs, housing, and services while expanding opportunities for Transit Oriented Development (TOD)—allowing people to live and commute with ease,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Karen Kitsis. “CTDOT is grateful for the support of Governor Ned Lamont and the Connecticut General Assembly, which responded to customer needs by investing in the expansion of our transit system.”
These new routes were, in part, discovered through feedback from community members, frontline transit workers, and key government officials.
Public Service by the Numbers:
- 4,300 community members surveyed online
- 36 community events across Connecticut
- 29 interviews with transit providers, councils of government, and transit district reps
- 10 customer focus groups
CTDOT’s Customer Experience (CX) Action Plan team gathered this wealth of responses. Based on insights from those we serve, they lead the initiative to develop public transportation innovations throughout the state. This energized team will continue responding to the needs of the people—the customers and supporters of public transit—and propose new paths forward.
Pictured left to right: Samaia Hernandez, Alicia Leite, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Lisa Rivers, and Karen Kitsis.
“As Connecticut works to be a leader in delivering major new transit investments, including CTfastrak and CTrail Hartford Line, we recognize the support and input of our transit providers and customers across Connecticut,” said Connecticut Department of Transportation Public Transportation Bureau Chief Benjamin Limmer. “We look forward to launching new transportation services in communities across Connecticut in the months ahead.”
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