Save Microtransit in Connecticut

The CTDOT Microtransit Pilot Program has proven to be a high-performance solution for the state’s transportation gaps. Since its launch in 2024, the program has consistently met or exceeded performance metrics regarding ridership, efficiency, and wait times.

• Over 375,000 rides have been provided statewide across 15 different zones.
• Over 60% of riders report they have no access to a personal vehicle.
• Over 50% of riders use microtransit to connect to fixed-route buses or commuter rail.
• 50%+ of riders earn an income of under $50,000 per year.
• 20% of riders identify as having a disability.

The expiration of the $10.5 million funding extension would have immediate and severe consequences for Connecticut’s economy and its most vulnerable residents:

• Over 10,000 regular riders would lose access to transportation, potentially leaving them isolated from work, healthcare, and education.
• Roughly 100 good-paying driver jobs would be permanently lost.
• Riders who are forced to switch to personal vehicles would face significant affordability challenges due to historically high gas prices.
• Because the majority of riders have no alternative transportation, the end of funding would force them to completely forgo or significantly reduce necessary travel.

Without the connection provided by microtransit, ridership on existing fixed-route bus and commuter rail lines would likely decline.

April 20, 2026

The Honorable Ned Lamont, Governor
State of Connecticut
State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

The Honorable Martin Looney, President pro Tempore
Connecticut State Senate
Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Room 3300
Hartford, CT 06106

The Honorable Matthew Ritter, Speaker
Connecticut House of Representatives
Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Room 4105
Hartford, CT 06106

RE: Maintain Funding and Protect Transit Services in CTDOT Microtransit Program

We the undersigned, representing the Connecticut Microtransit Coalition, made up of transit districts,
municipalities, community-based groups, transportation, business, and environmental organizations, and
mobility providers from across the state of Connecticut, write to express our strong support for the
one-year extension of $10.5 million funding for the Connecticut Department of Transportation
(CTDOT)’s “Microtransit Pilot Program,” as proposed in the Appropriations Committee FY 27
Budget Adjustments.

The $19.5 million two-year program launched in 2024, which initially included the possibility of two
one-year extensions exercisable by CTDOT, funds microtransit services that are a lifeline for
communities across Connecticut with poor access to existing transit services. These innovative transit
options are delivering clear economic, health, and educational benefits, and on every performance metric
- from ridership or efficiency, to wait times or jobs and transit access, microtransit services are reaching
or surpassing expectations set by CTDOT and local officials.

However, without maintained funding, over 10,000 microtransit riders in 15 different microtransit zones
across the state could face service eliminations, forcing the majority of riders who have no other
alternatives to completely forgo or significantly reduce travel, leaving them isolated and without access
to critical needs. And for those who can access a personal vehicle, they would face significant
affordability challenges at a time when gas prices are at historically high levels. Additionally, roughly a
hundred good-paying driver jobs could be lost as well.

In just two years, microtransit has become a critical tool for agencies seeking to help employers by
ensuring workers in low-car ownership areas reliably get to work, provide connections to health care and
essential services for residents who have no other mobility solutions, and boost ridership on fixed route
bus and commuter rail by offering first-and-last-mile transit services. These microtransit services have
provided over 375,000 rides statewide, with over 60 percent of riders reporting no access to a personal
car and over 50 percent of riders using microtransit services to connect to other forms of public
transportation. Microtransit also serves some of the most vulnerable populations in Connecticut, with
over 50 percent of riders reporting an income of under $50,000 a year and 20 percent identifying as
having a disability. Riders have made it clear that the loss of these services would be devastating to their
livelihoods, with 91% of riders surveyed across four of the state’s microtransit services saying they
would be disappointed to see these services end.

As you negotiate the FY27 Budget Adjustments, we urge you to adopt the Appropriations Committee’s
recommendation of a $10.5 million, one-year extension of microtransit funding. This would ensure
riders can trust and rely on these new and innovative services while CTDOT, legislators, and advocates
examine potential sustainable state funding strategies that can be considered in Connecticut’s next
biennial budget - as Senate Bill 390 currently proposes.

We look forward to working with you to advance these recommended budget adjustments and
collaborating on continued investments in innovative transit across Connecticut.

Sincerely,

The Hon. Justin Elicker
Mayor, City of New Haven

The Hon. Caroline Simmons
Mayor, City of Stamford

Steven DeMichele
Chief Executive Officer, Greater Bridgeport Transit

Doug Holcomb, Executive Director
Greater Hartford Transit District

Henry Jadach
Executive Director, Milford Transit District

Matt Pentz
Chief Executive Officer, Norwalk Transit District

Joe Comerford
Executive Director, River Valley Transit

Mark Pandolfi
Executive Director, Valley Transit District

The Hon. Jason Bowsza
First Selectman, Town of East Windsor

The Hon. Matt Hoey
First Selectman, Town of Guilford

The Hon. Peggy Lyons,
First Selectwoman, Town of Madison

Angelica Fontanez, LCSW
Director of Social Services, Town of Redding

Jeremy Tillunger
Director of Public Policy, Via Transportation

Jeremy Scalzi
Director of Business Development, M7

Joe DeLong
Executive Director and CEO, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities

Danielle Cloud
Policy Director, Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA)

Matt Hart
Executive Director, Capitol Region Council of Governments

Laura Francis
Executive Director, South Central Regional Council of Governments

Elizabeth Gara
Executive Director, Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST)

Pete Harrison
Connecticut Director, Regional Plan Association

Kelly Grandfield
Connecticut Legislative Representative, Association of Commuter Rail Employees

Jennifer Kleindienst
Sustainability Director, Wesleyan University

Marcia LaFemina
President and CEO, Penn Global

• Email Governor Lamont and urge him to protect microtransit funding

Thank legislative leadership for advancing this funding out of committee (click to email):

• Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney
• Speaker of the House Matt Ritter 
• The Hon. Bob Duff, Senate Majority Leader 
• The Hon. Jason Rojas, House Majority Leader