Governor Gives Green Light For Busway

Connecticut is closer to getting its first rapid transit system. Governor Dannel Malloy announced today his support for a rapid bus project from New Britain to Hartford. As WNPR’s Nancy Cohen reports the Governor says he also wants to devote state funds to study a rail project in Waterbury.

Supporters of the busway describe it as a train without tracks. The bus system would have a 9.4 mile road used exclusively by busses. There would be elevated platforms, like train stations, and buses running every 12 minutes, carrying a projected 16,000 riders. It’s designed to reduce congestion on Interstate 84. But opponents sought the Governor’s support for investing federal dollars in revitalizing the Bristol Waterbury rail line. Malloy says he’ll ask the state bond commission to put $1 million towards studying the rail project, but he says the state should use federal dollars to build the busway.

“Although I think many people have thought of the two options as being mutully exclusive I do not and I reject that belief. I believe we can continue down these two avenues or tracks or whatever transportation word you want to use.”

Malloy says he has told the Federal Transit Administration Connecticut will accept $275 million dollars for the busway. Construction of the project could begin this summer. The busses are expected to be running by the end of 2014.

For WNPR, I’m Nancy Cohen.