Traveling Around Hartford with the Bantam Bus Pass
Since its arrival in 1999, the Bantam Bus Pass (originally the U-Pass) has been a way for students to explore the Greater Hartford area. Coordinated by the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, the pass allows for unlimited rides on the CT Transit and CTFastrak bus systems at no out-of-pocket cost to Trinity students. Students can use the bus pass to get around town for entertainment, class projects, work, shopping, food, and more.
By downloading the Transit App, students can access bus times, locations of stops, and route information. The main routes that surround Trinity’s campus are bus numbers 37, 39, 41, and 61. To go to the Westfarms Mall, Walmart, or surrounding areas, take the 37-39 located on the west side of New Britain Ave. All routes go downtown, and to get to Stop & Shop in Wethersfield, take the 61 bus.
Suzanne Carpe ’22 and Maxwell Norteman ’23 are two students who have made good use of their bus passes. Reflecting on her experience riding the bus throughout her time at Trinity, Carpe says, “I was first introduced to buses in Hartford through a Bantam Beginnings program called ‘A Hundred Things to do in Hartford Before You Graduate,’ and I have loved buses ever since then.” For Norteman, “coming from a small suburban town, the bus pass has been an amazing opportunity to experience all that Hartford has to offer.”
As an international student, the bus provided Carpe a safe option to not only run her errands and go to work, but also the ability to see what the city has to offer. She loved how taking the bus gave her a chance to experience visiting restaurants, the movies, and her favorite place, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. For Norteman, “The Bantam Bus Pass is incredibly useful in navigating and traveling across the Hartford region. I use it multiple times a week, whether it is traveling to the Mark Twain Museum for my job, riding to Bushnell Park to get some fresh air, or taking it to the Parkville Market to get lunch.”
Norteman and Carpe both speak highly of the bus system in Hartford. Norteman says, “The Hartford bus system is a clean, efficient, and safe way to travel while studying at Trinity.” Carpe adds, “I have learned how to take the buses, and now when I visit New York or Boston, I am also very excited about taking the subway. In my almost four years at Trinity, I have never had a bad experience, and I have had some interesting interactions with Hartford residents on buses.”
Carpe describes how having Spanish as her first language allowed her to connect with fellow riders by providing directions or translation help. “I love to be able to interact with people and be helpful in the community if given the opportunity,” Carpe says.
As for the impact of COVID on the bus system, Carpe adds, “At the height of the pandemic, when it was hard to get Ubers or Lyfts, the buses were almost always reliable – plus they made them completely free for everyone which was a very nice thing for the town to do to support the community. Even if you own a car, you can also save money on gas once in a while and also help the Earth a little bit by minimizing your carbon footprint.”
Bantam Bus passes are free and available for students who are currently enrolled. Students can get their bus pass in the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement, located in the basement of Mather Hall to the left of the bookstore. Students from the classes of 2024 and 2025 should check their mailboxes prior to coming to the office. If you have questions about the Bantam Bus Pass or misplace your pass, please contact [email protected].
