Connecticut Leaders Urge Lamont to Continue Microtransit Funding

A coalition of Connecticut transit districts, city and town officials, and transportation advocates is urging Governor Ned Lamont and state lawmakers to fund microtransit as the two-year pilot nears its June expiration.

If the state doesn’t step up, more than 10,000 riders across 15 microtransit zones could lose service. That would put access at risk for seniors, teens, commuters, and people needing medical care.

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What’s at stake for riders across Connecticut

The pilot began in spring 2024, using $19.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It offers subsidized ride-hailing in nine districts and municipalities, with fares between $0.85 and $4 per trip.

Coalition data shows over half of riders use microtransit to connect to public transit. About 60% don’t have a personal vehicle.

The program logged more than 375,000 rides in two years. That’s a lot of trips for communities that really need them.

Funding proposals and legislative backstops

The Appropriations Committee wants to extend the program for one year with $10.5 million. This would keep microtransit running while leaders figure out long-term funding.

Earlier, the Transportation Committee pushed for about $9 million in Senate Bill 9 to keep it going. Governor Lamont’s proposed budget left out microtransit funding, which has many people worried about disruptions when the pilot ends.

Riders and communities rely on microtransit

Advocates say microtransit matters for all sorts of users—seniors who can’t drive, teens without rides, commuters who need to reach train stations, and patients heading to appointments.

But it’s not a replacement for fixed-route buses and trains. The coalition thinks a sustainable model needs blended funding, not just one-time federal money.

Where microtransit operates and which towns could be affected

Hartford
New Haven
Stamford
Bridgeport
Waterbury
Norwalk
Danbury
Groton
New London
Middletown
Bristol
Norwich
Windham
East Hartford
Shelton

These towns show how microtransit has become part of daily life from the capital to coastal and inland suburbs. It’s a bridge to trains and buses for hundreds of riders every day.

Pathways forward: funding models and policy steps

Transportation leaders and advocates are pushing for a careful, multi-source funding plan. Some ideas on the table include off-peak pricing to balance demand, employer contributions for worker commutes, and targeted subsidies during less busy hours.

The hope is to build a funding mix that keeps microtransit running for the long haul.

Senate Bill 390 and the need for study

Senate Bill 390 would direct the commissioner of transportation to conduct a formal microtransit study. Many stakeholders say this is crucial for figuring out long-term partnerships and viability.

The one-year extension from the Appropriations Committee would give lawmakers time to see what the study finds and consider a bigger funding plan for cities like Hartford and New Haven.

Governor Lamont’s stance and legislative momentum

Lamont’s office has recognized the value of microtransit and says it’s willing to work with the legislature. But with no microtransit funds in his budget, advocates and local leaders argue the state needs to act quickly or risk service cuts that could hit both cities and suburbs—from Bridgeport to Danbury, Norwalk to New London.

Impact on Connecticut commuters and regional planning

Right now, as lawmakers weigh funding, the microtransit program stands at a crossroads for Connecticut’s mobility strategy. For places like Stamford, Waterbury, Groton, and Norwich, keeping this service could protect access, reduce car dependence, and help people get to work, healthcare, and school.

Waiting too long could leave big holes in service for riders who depend on microtransit, especially where fixed-route coverage is thin. That’s a risk Connecticut can’t really afford to take.

Bottom line for Connecticut residents

Summer’s almost here, and the June deadline for microtransit funding is looming. Everything depends on what the state decides in the coming weeks.

The coalition’s message is straightforward: they want a one-year extension to keep things running while everyone figures out a better funding plan. Towns like Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, and Bridgeport should have a say in how that looks.

If Connecticut blends federal support, local partnerships, and fair pricing, hundreds of thousands of rides could stick around. Microtransit has already proved its worth—now it’s just a matter of whether the state will step up and keep it rolling.

Here is the source article for this story: CT leaders call on Lamont to continue microtransit funding

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