Submitted by Joseph Comerford, Exec. Director, Estuary Transit District.
9 Town Transit (9TT), operated by the Estuary Transit District (EDT) has announced that, as of August 27th, is launching a new bus route from Madison to Middletown along Rts. 1, 81, and154. This route represents a partnership among the EDT, the towns, businesses, and educational institutions.
The route begins in the center of Madison and travels along Routes 1 in Madison and Clinton, 81 in Clinton, Killingworth and Haddam and 154 to Middlesex Community college and downtown Middletown. Free connections are available to CT Transit New Haven, CT Transit Hartford and Middletown Area Transit bus services, as well as connections to the other 9 Town Transit routes.
Although this route has specific time points along the way through the towns of Madison, Clinton, Killingworth and Haddam, riders may flag the bus down from any safe location along the route. All buses are handicapped accessible.
“This route will offer Killingworth regularly scheduled public transportation for the first time. Killingworth seniors, students, and businesses will all benefit greatly from such a route. It will also help make our town attractive to a new generation that is eager to be less dependent on private cars,” says Killingworth First Selectwoman Cathy Iino, a longtime advocate of the bus route.
The route has been in the works for about six years. Over that period, there has been a significant amount of interest expressed by residents and businesses, and much anticipation of a start date. The service received federal funding in early 2017, but the state matching funds were withheld as the state faced a transportation funding crisis. With the legislature fixing the Special Transportation Fund this spring, the state funding could now be released to 9TT.
“I am grateful this route is in place for our residents, having transportation on the 81 corridor is vital for our region and the community,” says Haddam First Selectwoman Lizz Millardo.
9TT officials and state legislators have promoted the economic benefits public transportation could bring to the corridor. Clinton First Selectwoman Christine Goupil supports this position, saying “This expansion of transportation and the upgrades to the Clinton Train Station provide connectivity and a diversity of options for all users. It is a stimulus to our local and regional economy while reducing emissions and congestion along Route 1, 81 and I-95.
Madison First Selectman, Tom Banish adds “Downtown Madison is a main connecting point for transit linking New Haven and Old Saybrook. This added service opens up many opportunities for people from all over the region to now be able connect to Middletown and its hospitals, schools, jobs and attractions. We look forward to the convenience this will create for those looking for work on the shoreline and the opportunities it will create for Madison residents.”
Schedules for the new bus route can be found at www.9towntransit.com or by calling 860-510-0429.