CT Transit celebrates 50th anniversary by looking to future, past

Connecticut marked a major milestone Tuesday as CT Transit celebrated 50 years of getting thousands of passengers to their destinations across the state.

“This has been an enormous success,” U.S. Rep. John Larson (D, CT1) said. “Just in Hartford, over 30% of the people don’t own a car.”

During the 1970s, the once privately-owned bus service faced significant difficulties until the state and federal government stepped in with assistance. In just the past two years, CT Transit has received $132 million from the federal government.

“What began as an urgent effort to save public transportation has grown into one of the most reliable and expansive bus systems in the country,” Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto said.

CT Transit provides the public with transportation to work, trips to the market, and getting students to school on time, among other things. 

State Rep. Kathy Kennedy (R-119) recounted the time her daughter rode a CT Transit bus for the first time.

“She says, ‘well mom, it was an interesting trip, we took the bus, it was awesome,’” Kennedy said. “But how the heck do you get off those things? She didn’t know there’s a little lever up there you pull.”

While reflecting on the past, transit officials are also looking toward the next 50 years.

“Our bus stop enhancement program is going to bring about 750 shelters at high ridership locations across the state complete with real-time arrival signs, solar lighting, bench mounted seating and ADA accessibility,” Eucalitto said.
 
But there’s no forgetting the past, thanks to the unveiling of a retro bus.

“It’s a tribute to former general managers, the dedication of our professional operators, maintenance crews, planners, and  administrative teams,” CT Transit General Manager Thomas Stringer, Jr. said.