9 Town announced changes today to the Saturday schedule of its Riverside Shuttle Route to provide earlier morning and later evening service to and from Chester.

Starting Saturday, February 6, 2009, bus service from Chester to Old Saybrook (along route 154) will begin in Chester center at 9:00 am, an hour earlier than the current schedule. The last bus of the day will depart Old Saybrook at 3:15 pm, about an hour later than the current schedule. All Saturday Riverside Shuttle time points will be affected by this change. There will be no changes to the weekday schedule.

9 Town Transit has been providing public transportation to residents in the nine towns of the Connecticut River Estuary Region since 1981. The Riverside Shuttle Route serves the towns of Old Saybrook, Essex, Deep River, and Chester. It includes stops at the Old Saybrook Train station, Bokum Plaza, Essex Square, Adam’s Market in Deep River, and the Center of Chester.

Detailed schedules are available at public buildings and various businesses throughout the Estuary region, on our website at www.9towntransit.com, or by calling 860-510-0429.

Shoreline residents now have easy access to Middlesex Community College (MXCC) thanks to 9 Town Transit’s (9TT) Mid-Shore Express. The route began servicing the MXCC campus in Middletown this month.

The Mid-Shore Express runs between the Old Saybrook train station and the Middletown bus terminal Monday through Friday from 6:50 AM until 11:15 AM and 3:30 PM until 6:50 PM. Stops are made along the way at the Essex Park and Ride lot at Route 9 exit 4, Chester Park and Ride lot, Chester Center, along route 154 between within the town of Chester, the Social Services office in Middletown, and the Middletown bus terminal.

Service is now being provided to the MXCC campus on two trips daily. Additional service to the campus will be provided on additional trips by calling 860-510-0429 and requesting the service at least half an hour in advance. The new stop was added to accommodate the growing number of MXCC students using the Mid-Shore Express. The fare for the service remains $1.25, and transfers from any other 9 Town Transit route are free.

For more information, route maps, or schedules visit 9 Town Transit online at www.9TownTransit.com or call 860-510-0429.

The Estuary Transit District’s 9 Town Transit will expand the hours of its Dial-A-Ride service beginning November 2nd by an additional 9 hours a week. The expansion will provide improved transportation to those who either do not live along a shuttle route or are unable to use shuttles because of disability.

The new hours will offer earlier morning and later evening service on weekdays, and will add Saturday service. Dial-A-Ride service will now operate Monday through Friday from 6:45 AM until 5:45 PM and Saturday from 10:15 AM until 2:45 PM.

“With the expansion of the hours of the 9 Town Transit Dial-A-Ride service from 6:45 AM to 5:45 PM, the good people of Killingworth will now be able to use it to get to and from work, doctor’s appointments, and early and late access to a regularly running shuttle route to such places as New Haven, New London, Middletown, and Hartford. Killingworth is now connected to the rest of CT via public transportation,” said Richard Cabral, ETD Chairman and First Selectman of Killingworth.

The new hours were made possible through the Municipal Grants Program of the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

9TT’s Dial-A-Ride is a door-to-door public transit service available to the general public with no age restrictions. Service is provided anywhere within the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. Reservations must be made one day in advance by calling 860-510-0429. Regular fares are $2.50. Persons age 60 or older may ride free through the Senior Transportation Program. Additionally, free transfers may be made to other 9 Town Transit services for service outside of the nine town area New Haven, New London/Norwich, and Middletown.

Links:
9 Town Transit

The Estuary Transit District’s 9 Town Transit has been awarded $325,000 in capital funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly referred to as the economic stimulus. The funding was recently announced by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, and is a 100% federal grant with no matching funds required.

The funding will be used to enhance public transit services in the Estuary region. 9 Town Transit plans to purchase two new larger buses for its popular Shoreline Shuttle route to increase capacity. The current buses frequently are filled to capacity, leaving some passengers to wait for the next bus. The new buses will also include features to improve passenger comfort and security. Delivery is expected by Spring of 2010.

Bus stop enhancements will be another focus of the ARRA funds. 9 Town Transit will install bus stops along all four of its routes to more clearly identify bus stops and routing. In addition, some higher traffic bus stops will receive covered bus shelters to provide seating and protection from the weather. The improvements will greatly enhance the bus riding experience in the Estuary region, with installation expected to be completed by fall of 2010.

The funding will also allow 9 Town Transit to upgrade its scheduling software for its Dial-A-Ride and off-route services. 9 Town Transit plans to purchase a system that will improve efficiency, on-time performance, and trip appointment accuracy. Plans include using real-time GPS data to more accurately and effectively dispatch vehicles.

A new website is also being developed with the use of ARRA funding. 9 Town Transit plans to have a state-of-the-art website, giving visitors improved access to public transit information in a user-friendly format. 9 Town Transit plans to add features such as online ticket purchases, interactive maps, and online chat to answer questions.

“We are thrilled to be receiving these stimulus funds. They will go a long way in improving our ability to provide transit services to the Estuary region and our citizen’s access to it” said Joseph Comerford, Executive Director of the Estuary Transit District.

The Estuary Transit District provides public transit service to Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook through its 9 Town Transit service. Connections are provided to New Haven, Middletown, Hartford and New London/Norwich bus services and Shoreline East Commuter Rail. Route maps and schedules are available online at www.9TownTransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429.

Links:
9 Town Transit

The Estuary Transit District will relocate its office to Centerbrook to accommodate the growing 9 Town Transit services. The new location will enhance the districts ability to provide services to Estuary region.

The new office, which will house all administrative and operational functions, will be located at 17 Industrial Park Drive, Centerbrook, CT 06409.

The move is expected to take place on September 29, 2009. All efforts will be made to prevent any disruption in business that day, however customer’s patience is requested while the transition is made. There will be no change to the main phone number, which will remain 860-510-0429.

The Estuary Transit District provides public transit service to Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook through its 9 Town Transit service. Connections are provided to New Haven, Middletown, Hartford and New London/Norwich bus services and Shoreline East Commuter Rail.

Route maps and schedules are available online at www.9TownTransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429.