Contacts: Sydney Barnwell-860.994.0550, Jay Stange-917.601.3165, Melinda Tuhus-203.623.2186
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 31, 2025
Connecticut Comes Together For Transit Equity Day 2025:
A Call For World-Class Public Transit In Connecticut On Rosa Parks’s Birthday
Hartford and New Haven, CT—In a powerful display of collective action, transit advocates, climate activists, state DOT officials, local leaders, elected officials, and community members will unite at the state capitol and throughout the state to celebrate the birthday of Rosa Parks and call for equitable and sustainable public transportation for Transit Equity Day, on February 4, 2025.
The Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs, Transport Hartford, the New Haven Climate Movement, and the Transit Riders Union of Connecticut invite the public to join these major gatherings:
- Hartford: Collective Action at the capitol. A press conference at noon on the North Capitol Steps.
- New Haven: NHCM Transit Equity Day on the green amplifying the call for transit justice.
- Fairfield/Virtual: Transit Riders Union of Connecticut—TRUCT—celebrates Transit Equity Day with a letter-writing workshop.
On this nationwide day of action and mobilization, we ask CT leaders to support world-class, fully-funded, safe, and reliable public transit systems and well-paid union workers. Let’s make meaningful new transit investments in Connecticut to improve road safety, reduce GHG emissions, support economic development, and increase access to educational opportunities and community resources.
Why Transit Equity Matters in Connecticut
Public transit is essential for connecting our communities, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving road safety, and supporting economic development. On this day, we call on Connecticut’s leaders to:
- Invest in World-Class Public Transit: Fully fund safe and reliable public transit systems to meet the needs of all riders.
- Support Union Workers: Ensure fair wages and safe working conditions for CTtransit operators and all public transit workers.
- Expand Access for Young People: Champion “Tickets to Opportunity”—a program to provide free bus passes to every high school student in Connecticut.
These events will include transit workers, everyday riders, young leaders pushing for expanded transit access in CT, legislative and administrative champions, and state leaders speaking on the importance of meaningful transit investments and climate action.
The public can register here to join advocates at the Capitol and stand united in the call for Connecticut to lead the way in building a public transit system that works for everyone. Together, we can reduce emissions, create economic opportunities, and ensure that our state’s transit systems are safe, reliable, and equitable for generations to come.
Quotes
“The public bus is the answer to many persistent transportation problems here in Connecticut: pollution, congestion, and road safety,” said Jay Stange of Transport Hartford, a program of the Center for Latino Progress. “We need to make transit more affordable so poor people can use it and we need to make transit good so everyone will use it. We can and should do both in Connecticut.”
“Public transit is a civil right, a climate solution, and an economic lifeline. On Transit Equity Day, we’re standing together—workers, riders, and advocates—to demand a system that serves everyone, not just the privileged few.” said Aziz Dehkan, Executive Director of the Connecticut Roundtable On Climate And Jobs, “Connecticut must invest in affordable, accessible, and sustainable transit to create a future where no one is left behind.”
“Our state cannot claim to be serious about environmental justice, disability rights, or supporting local workers and businesses if we do not invest in high quality, safe, and free, public transit. It is one of the easiest investments that a state can make to have massive ripple effects in both our local economy and the wellbeing of all working people.” – Councilman Joshua Michtom (WF)
About the Organizers
The Connecticut Roundtable On Climate And Jobs (CRCJ) brings together diverse stakeholders to create equitable climate solutions and good-paying union jobs. Transport Hartford is a collaborative initiative focused on improving mobility, transit equity, and environmental sustainability in the Hartford region. New Haven Climate Movement is a youth-led grassroots organization dedicated to advancing climate justice through advocacy, education, and local policy action.
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