The ParkConneCT Program Connects You To Connecticut State Parks!
The Connecticut Departments of Transportation and Energy and Environmental Protection are pleased to announce the ParkConneCT program, a collaboration of CTDOT and CT DEEP. This program aims to provide safe and reliable transportation within a 10 minute walk to Hammonasset, Indian Well, Osbornedale, Sherwood Island, Silver Sands and Sleeping Giant state parks.
The ParkConneCT Program will run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend (05/27/2023 to 09/04/2023). Connections to the parks listed above are also available from nearby train stations, providing access to the parks on a regional basis.
Please visit each transit operator’s website below for assistance on planning transit to the park and the individual park websites to see what amenities are available at that location. Restrooms, shelters, and concessions vary from park to park and may not be available at all locations.
Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison
Bus Connections
River Valley Transit: 641 Old Saybrook/Madison and Madison Shuttle
- CTtransit Route 201 from New Haven operates weekdays and Saturdays, meeting the River Valley Transit 641 route on weekdays and Madison Shuttle on Saturdays, serving Hammonasset. Note that the 641 does not stop inside the park – the closest stop is at Route 1 & Hammonasset.
For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit River Valley Transit.
Sleeping Giant State Park, Hamden
Bus Connections
- Route 228: Whitney Avenue
- Bus stop is at Whitney Avenue & Mt. Carmel Avenue. Follow the sidewalk along Mount Carmel Avenue east for 0.3 miles, to the main entrance to the Park.
- Route 229: New Haven – Waterbury
- Bus stop is at Whitney Avenue & Mt. Carmel Avenue. Follow the sidewalk along Mount Carmel Avenue east for 0.3 miles, to the main entrance to the Park.
Trail Connections
CTrail Connections (Hartford Line/Shore Line East/New Haven Line)
- Visitors can indirectly connect to routes 228 and 229 at the New Haven Green by taking the Union Station/Green Shuttle on weekdays from New Haven Union Station or walking from State Street Station to the Green.
Silver Sands State Park, Milford
Bus Connections
Silver Sands Shuttle operated by Milford Transit District
- Bus stop is at the boardwalk inside the park
- CTtransit Routes 261 and 271 from New Haven operate daily, meeting the Silver Sands Shuttle route at the CT Post Mall.
- For more information on the scheduled times and route maps for the above service please visit the bus operator’s website.
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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