CT Transit 30X Bus Ride: 2017 MCI D4500CT 1688 from Hartford Union Station to Bradley Airport & Back

Taken on 6/19/24.
Video of a round trip on 2017 MCI D4500CT 1688 operating on CT Transit Route 30X (Bradley Flyer) from Hartford to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks via I-91, and back. This route is a local bus route structured in similar to their express (900-series) routes as very few stops along local streets are made, with a park & ride stop along its express portion. The route predominantly uses the standard transit fleet. However on this day, both buses operating on the route in the PM were using MCI coaches which are typically seen on the express routes.
The current Route 30 was implemented on August 22, 2021, a combination of the previous iteration of the 30/30X and the former 915 Windsor Express route. On that day many routes in the CT Transit network saw modifications to their routes and/or service. In the Hartford area, most express routes were changed in response to rider losses and travel pattern changes due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
All Route 30 buses operated the 30X service pattern, with 30 local trips via North Main Street converted to 30X trips. The 30X was also boosted to operate every 40 minutes all 7 days of the week instead of every 60-90 minutes.
The former 915 express route operating between Downtown Hartford and Poquonock Park & Ride was discontinued. Service at this park & ride was previously subject to a peak fare surcharge since the 30/30X would skip the park & ride during rush hours in the peak direction only. All 30X trips now served Poquonock Park & Ride, which makes it the only Hartford Area Park & Ride to receive non-stop service to Downtown Hartford on local bus fares.
Also due to the August 2021 changes, the 30X now operates non-stop between Poquonock Park & Ride and Ella Grasso Turnpike in Windsor Locks. Previously buses got off I-91 at Kennedy Road, then headed via Kennedy Road to/from the Bradley Airport Connector (CT-20). This portion now served by Route 34, which itself was enhanced to operate daily service at 60 minute headways or better. Buses now take I-91 straight to the Bradley Airport Connector and get of at Ella Grasso Tpke. Since southbound buses from the airport now directly head straight to I-91 via the Bradley Airport Connector, riders headed southbound to Hartford along Ella Grasso Tpke and Schoepoester Rd have to take the bus headed up to Bradley International Airport, which will immediately head south to Hartford.
It was a nice surprise to see the MCI bus pull up into Union Station, as I was expecting to get some local bus. It was also my first time taking the 30X, so it was nice experience overall. The MCI coach seemingly was a nice surprise to some riders who got on as heard in the video. Unsure if the ongoing heat wave at the time had anything to do with both buses on the line using MCIs. On that day the real feel reached 101 degrees, with similar numbers in previous days. That may have created some issues with the local fleet which tends to get used more than the express fleet.
Here's a rundown of the trip:
==========TOWARDS BRADLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT==========
0:00 - Bus 1688 Arriving at Union Station Prior to Completing Route 30X Trip
0:07 - Leaving Union Station via Union Place
2:54 - Asylum Street
3:07 - Ford Street
3:21 - Pearl Street
5:11 - Central Row
8:50 - Prospect Street
9:09 - Bob Steele Street
9:39 - Grove Street
9:51 - Connecticut Convention Center / Mechanic Street
10:36 - Connecticut Convention Center / Potter Street
11:14 - Columbus Boulevard
11:36 - Grove Street
11:49 - Entrance Ramp to I-91 North
12:13 - Interstate 91 & HOV Lanes
19:04 - I-91 HOV Lane Exit 38
21:03 - Poquonock Avenue (CT-35)
21:14 - Operating Through Poquonock Park & Ride Lot (NB)
23:54 - Poquonock Avenue (CT-35)
24:53 - Entrance Ramp to I-91 North
25:33 - Interstate 91 (I-91)
26:58 - I-91 Exit 40
27:37 - Bradley International Airport Connector (CT-20)
29:29 - CT-20 Exit Ramp to Ella Grasso Tpke
29:58 - Ella Grasso Turnpike (CT-75)
37:21 - Schoephoester Road
40:28 - Bradley International Airport Roadway
42:05 - Arrival at Terminal A Stop
==========TOWARDS HARTFORD UNION STATION==========
42:31 - Boarding and Departing Bradley International Airport
43:37 - Bradley International Airport Connector
47:43 - Entrance Ramp to I-91 South
48:05 - Interstate 91 (I-91)
49:33 - I-91 Exit 38A to Poquonock Ave
50:29 - Poquonock Avenue (CT-35)
51:37 - Operating Through Poquonock Park & Ride Lot (SB)
52:37 - Poquonock Avenue (CT-35)
52:48 - HOV Entrance Ramp to I-91 South
53:25 - Interstate 91 & HOV Lanes (I-91)
1:01:30 - I-91 Exit 29A
1:01:49 - Whitehead Highway
1:02:03 - Whitehead Highway Exit Ramp to Columbus Blvd
1:02:41 - Columbus Boulevard
1:05:12 - State Street
1:05:49 - Central Row
1:08:31 - Pearl Street
1:10:45 - Ford Street
1:11:25 - High Street
1:12:00 - Church Street
1:12:23 - Union Place
1:12:36 - Bus 1688 at Hartford Union Station After Completing 30X Trip
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