If you’re standing in downtown New Britain looking for a platform with steel rails and a locomotive, you're going to be waiting a long time. It’s confusing. People see "CTfastrak" and "Downtown New Britain Station" on a map and naturally assume they can hop on a train to New York or New Haven. But here is the reality: the New Britain train station—at least in the way most of us define a train station—doesn't exist right now.
It’s a busway.
Specifically, it is the crown jewel of the CTfastrak system. This massive, $567 million project basically repurposed an old abandoned rail line to create a dedicated road just for buses. It feels like a train station. It looks like a train station. It has the high platforms, the ticket kiosks, and the sleek glass architecture you’d expect at a Metro-North stop. But it’s all for the bus. This creates a massive amount of "transit vertigo" for travelers who aren't from Central Connecticut. You show up expecting a rail car and instead, a green bus pulls up.
The Long History of Rail in the Hardware City
New Britain used to have real trains. Lots of them. Back when the city was the "Hardware Capital of the World," the rail lines were the lifeblood of the local economy. Companies like Stanley Black & Decker (then just Stanley Works) and North & Judd relied on the tracks to move goods and people. The original New Britain station was a hub of activity on the Hartford Division of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad.
Then came the 1960s.
Passenger service was gutted. The classic brick station was eventually demolished, and for decades, New Britain was essentially cut off from the regional rail network. If you wanted a train, you had to drive to Berlin or Hartford. It was a massive blow to the city's ego and its economy. The "train station" became a ghost of the past, replaced by parking lots and a sense of being bypassed by the rest of the state.
What CTfastrak Changed
When the state finally decided to do something about the nightmare that is I-84 traffic, they didn't bring back the heavy rail. Instead, they built the busway. The New Britain train station site—officially the Downtown New Britain Station—opened in 2015. It acts as the western terminus for the CTfastrak line.
Honestly, the engineering is pretty cool. Since the buses have their own road, they don't get stuck in the 5:00 PM gridlock. You can get from New Britain to Union Station in Hartford in about 20 minutes. That’s faster than driving. But for those of us who love the sound of wheels on tracks, it’s a bittersweet compromise. It’s "Bus Rapid Transit" (BRT), which is basically a train on tires.
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The Current Layout and How to Use It
The station is located right at 327 Main Street. It’s hard to miss. The design is modern, with plenty of overhead cover, which is a lifesaver during a Connecticut sleet storm in February.
If you're heading there, don't try to buy a ticket on the bus. You've got to use the kiosks on the platform. They take cards and cash, and they use a "proof of payment" system. This means you buy your ticket, keep it on you, and just walk onto the bus through any door. It speeds things up immensely. No fumbling for change while a line of twenty people glares at the back of your head.
The station serves several key routes:
- The 101 is the "Blue Line." It’s the flyer that goes straight to Hartford.
- You have various feeder routes that go to the mall (Westfarms) or CCSU.
- There are bike racks everywhere because the station connects to the multi-use trail.
It’s a weirdly quiet place for such a major transit hub. Because there are no roaring diesel engines or screeching rail brakes, the atmosphere is more like a quiet plaza than a frantic terminal.
The Controversy: Why Not Just Build a Train?
This is where things get heated in local politics. Many residents still feel like New Britain got the short end of the stick. Why does Berlin get a refurbished Amtrak/Hartford Line station and New Britain gets a bus road?
The math is basically what killed the rail dream.
Rebuilding the tracks to modern passenger standards would have cost significantly more than the busway. Plus, buses are more flexible. They can jump off the "track" and drive onto local streets to pick people up at their offices or the hospital. Trains can't do that. Still, if you talk to the old-timers at the public library nearby, they'll tell you the city hasn't been the same since the last real passenger train pulled out. There’s a psychological weight to having a real New Britain train station that a bus, no matter how fast or green, just can't replace.
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Connecting to the "Real" Trains
If you actually need a train—like, a vehicle that runs on tracks—you have to use the station as a springboard. From the New Britain hub, you take the 101 bus to Hartford Union Station. From there, you can catch:
- The Hartford Line (CTrail) to New Haven or Springfield.
- Amtrak's Northeast Regional or the Vermonter.
- Greyhound or Peter Pan buses for long-haul trips.
It’s a two-step process. It's not ideal, but it works.
The Future: Could Rail Ever Return?
There is a glimmer of hope for the rail enthusiasts. There has been persistent talk about the "Central Connecticut Rail Corridor." This would theoretically link Waterbury to Hartford, passing right through New Britain.
The tracks are still there.
Pan Am Southern (now part of CSX) uses them for freight. You’ll see the occasional slow-moving line of boxcars rumbling through town. The dream is to upgrade these tracks for passenger service. If that happens, the New Britain train station would finally live up to its name. It would create a seamless link across the state, connecting the Naugatuck Valley to the capital.
But don't hold your breath.
The funding required for that kind of infrastructure is astronomical. We're talking billions, not millions. For now, the focus is on "Transit Oriented Development" (TOD). You might have noticed the new apartment buildings popping up within walking distance of the station. The goal is to make downtown New Britain a place where you don't need a car. You live in a loft, walk to the station, and commute to a job in Hartford or West Hartford.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make
Don't be the person standing on the platform looking for a schedule that says "Grand Central." It doesn't exist here.
Another big mistake is the parking. There is a garage right next door (the Szczesny Garage), but people often try to find street parking on Main Street or near the courthouse. Just use the garage. It’s easier, safer, and you won't get a ticket from New Britain's very efficient parking enforcement officers.
Also, check the GoCT card system. If you're going to be using the station regularly, don't buy paper tickets every day. Get the plastic card or use the mobile app. It saves a few cents per ride, and more importantly, it saves you from standing in the wind while the kiosk slowly processes your debit card.
Safety and Amenities
Is it safe? Yeah, generally. There’s a heavy transit police presence, and the station is well-lit. Like any urban hub, you should keep your wits about you, especially after dark. But compared to some of the older, dingier stations in the Northeast, New Britain’s hub is clean and modern.
There isn't much in the way of food inside the station itself. You won't find a Hudson News or a Dunkin' right on the platform. However, because it’s downtown, you’re a two-minute walk from some legit Puerto Rican food or a quick sandwich at a local deli. Hit up the spots on West Main Street before you board.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you are planning to use the New Britain transit hub, here is the most efficient way to do it:
- Download the Transit App: This is the "official" app for CTfastrak. It shows you exactly where the bus is in real-time. No more guessing if you have time for a coffee.
- Validate Before You Board: The fines for not having a ticket are steep. Don't risk it. The inspectors do get on the buses, and they don't take "I forgot" as an excuse.
- Use the Garage: Park at the Szczesny Garage at 35 Bank Street. It connects directly to the station area.
- Plan for the Transfer: If you are heading to NYC, give yourself at least 30 minutes of buffer time at Hartford Union Station. The bus is reliable, but the Hartford Line and Amtrak are less forgiving if you're late.
- Explore the Area: Don't just sit on the platform. The New Britain Museum of American Art is about a 15-minute walk away, and it’s one of the best "hidden gem" museums in the country.
The New Britain train station might be a busway for now, but it's the heart of the city's attempt to reinvent itself. It’s a bridge between the industrial past and a more connected, less car-dependent future. Whether you're a daily commuter or a visitor trying to figure out how to get to the "Hardware City," understanding that this is a bus-centric hub will save you a lot of headache.
Keep an eye on the state budget. The moment "Rail Corridor" funding gets mentioned in Hartford, the real trains might finally come back home. Until then, enjoy the 101 Express—it's the closest thing to a train we've got.