CTFastrak Potential Still Blossoming
By Robin Vinci | Editor at May 21, 2024 | 6:30 pm | Print
During the New Britain Downtown District’s 31st Annual Meeting Tuesday night at Trinity on Main, downtown business owners gathered with many discussing the potential of what the CTFastrak can bring to New Britain.
“We got a call from a fellow who was going to work for Cigna in Hartford. He asked if it was in walking distance to the CTFastrak,” said Avner Krohn of Jasko Development who owns various commercial and residential buildings across the City. “We are slowly, but surely getting phone calls on the residential end. I am not sure yet if there is much of an impact on the commercial corridor. I think it will take some time. But, there is definitely an uptick for upscale residential.”
Frank Shank, chairman of the downtown district said that more people are in downtown.
“On the weekend I see people I have never seen before downtown. You can tell they are not from New Britain because they are looking around and sideways,” said Shank. “One of my tenants used to take a bus to work said it took her one hour. Now she gets there in 20 minutes and she is so very happy about it.”
Tim Stewart, Chamber of Commerce President, said he is very optimistic about the impact the CTFastrak is having on the City.
“I know a number of folks who make trips from West Hartford to Broad Street to eat regularly,” said Stewart. “I think it has been a great thing and it has made a huge impact on businesses such as Capitol Lunch.”
Carl Hinds, branch manager of TD Bank said it has not made a large impact on the bank, but there have been customers from Hartford that use the New Britain branch.
Steve Amato of Amato’s Toys and Hobby said the first week when CTFastrak opened the fare was free and there were a lot of curiosity seekers.
“It has quieted down. But, just last week we signed on with a new promoter where a person can bring in a bus ticket and get something. For us it is a dollar off,” said Amato. “Obviously a lot more needs to be done, but we are working to get a sign with a map of businesses for people who get off Fastrak downtown. They need to know where to get things as simple as a cup of coffee at Miss Washington Diner.”
Eric Amodio of Amodio real estate, who sells large commercial real estate said there has been no impact on his business as of yet.
But, Stephen Hard of the Greater New Britain Arts Alliance sees great “potential” in the CTFastrak for the arts community.
“I have not seen a specific increase, but what strikes me is the enormous potential,” Hard said. “We are tagging arts events as CTFastrak friendly events. Places like Trinity on Main, the New Britain Industrial Museum, the New Britain Public Library, South Church, the Hole in the Wall are all within easy walking distance of CTFastrak. We need to market that.”
