HARTFORD, CT — The state has launched a mobile app providing commuters of the CTrail Hartford Line and Shore Line East with the ability to purchase tickets for the respective rail lines using their smartphone devices.
With the app, CTrail eTix, passengers can purchase tickets using a credit or debit card and store them electronically on their device. When ready to use a mobile ticket, the passenger simply opens the CTrail eTix app and presses a button to activate the mobile ticket.
After the ticket is activated, passengers then show it to the train conductor from their smartphone screen.
The app can be used to purchase Shore Line East and Hartford Line tickets, with optional connecting service on New Haven Line (Metro-North) trains using a single device in one transaction. In addition, passengers utilizing the stations in Berlin and Wallingford have the ability to purchase parking through the app.
“Our focus is on enhancing the customer experience and encouraging people to get out of their cars and onto trains and buses, so anything we can do to make commuting more attractive can only help,” Gov. Ned Lamont said. “Making the CTrail eTix app for Hartford Line and Shore Line East commuters is a next logical step and I commend the Department of Transportation (DOT) for moving our efforts forward.”
DOT Commissioner Joseph Giulietti said: “Using this app, our customers will have a faster and easier commuter experience. Riders won’t need to use the ticket vending machine before boarding the train or need to pull out their cash or credit or debit card to complete their payment. They will also not risk losing their paper ticket,” Giulietti added.
DOT piloted a beta version of the application in April 2019 with a selected group of CTrail passengers who were able to complete purchases of mobile tickets and use the app to board CTrail trains.
During the testing phase, the app was rated highly, officials said.
Input and feedback from the pilot participants has been incorporated into CTrail eTix version 1.0 that is now available to the public for download and use.
The CTrail eTix app can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store.