Along The Lines

The pandemic has changed everything: from where we work to how we travel. This, in turn, has changed transportation patterns in our cities. In the first of a two-part discussion, Rich is joined by guests - Brent Toderian, International Consultant and Founder of Toderian UrbanWorks, and Lynn Haig, Director of Planning at the City of Bridgeport. Tune in as they discuss how travel patterns have changed in Connecticut during the pandemic, including the increase in the use of bike and scooter-share programs.

How did essential employees travel to work during the height of the pandemic? What impact has COVID-19 had on companies planning for a hybrid work schedule? In this episode of Along the Lines, Rich talks with four special guests from a variety of industries on how their commute to work and the workplace were drastically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interviews conducted Spring 2021.

There are exciting projects on the horizon! From new rail cars, to faster travel times - the customer experience is sure to get even better. Join the discussion on future rail projects with special guests Rich Jankovich, Rail Administrator at the Office of Rails at CTDOT and Jim Gildea of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council, for the second part of this two-part series.

There's no doubt about it: rail ridership in Connecticut has been affected tremendously by the COVID-19 pandemic. Join the discussion on current and future ridership trends with special guests Rich Jankovich, Rail Administrator at the Office of Rails at CTDOT and Jim Gildea of the Connecticut Commuter Rail Council for the first part of this two-part series.

Whether it was for recreation or commuting to work, it was clear that the number of people riding bikes increased in 2020. As biking continues to remain popular, the safety of cyclists remains a top concern. In this episode of Along the Lines, Rich talks to Holly Parker, Owner/ Founder of Less Road Traveled, LLC and Will Wright a Safe Streets advocate and member of People Friendly Stamford to discuss the current and future state of bike transportation and infrastructure in the state.

Did you know that CTfastrak, the first true Bus Rapid Transit system in New England, accounts for nearly 140,000 weekday trips? Join Rich as he talks with Erin Stewart, Mayor of the City of New Britain and George Howell, CEO of both the West Hartford Housing Authority and Trout Brook Realty Advisors, about CTfastrak's economic impact on the Greater Hartford Region.

Climate Change: it affects you, your state, and the Earth. Join Rich in the first of a series of climate conversations, as he talks to Ryan Hanrahan, Meteorologist at NBC Connecticut, and Katie Dykes, Commissioner at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, about one of the most critical issues facing our state in this episode of Along the Lines.

On this episode, Rich is joined by journalist and long-time rail commuter advocate, Jim Cameron. Their lively discussion includes the future of rail transportation in Connecticut post-pandemic, behind-the-scenes operator relationships, and how to fund our transportation infrastructure moving forward.

Railroads were instrumental in building the state's cities and economy. Today, rail travel in Connecticut accounts for over 40 million trips, with New Haven Line (Metro-North) being the busiest commuter rail system in the country. Rich and his guest - Jack Swanberg, retired Lead Trainmaster for New Haven Line (Metro-North) - discuss the long and storied history of rail travel in the state.

Does transportation really impact economic development? In this episode, Rich speaks with the Director of Economic Development from the Town of Berlin, Chris Edge, and Tony Valenti, Partner at the Newport Realty Group to discuss how reliable public transportation and the infrastructure that comes with it is an essential driver for job growth and economic development.