The connecticut department of transportation is requesting FFY 2024 2025 2026 section 5311 program funds in the amount of $16542769 (federal FY 24 $5366508; FY 25 $5530213; FY 26 $5646048) $26932604…

The Federal Transit Administration awarded the Connecticut Department of Transportation $26.932605 million on August 24, 2026, under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA 20.509) to fund rural transit services, capital equipment, planning, and technical assistance through June 30, 2031.

The award supports continued transit operations to nonurbanized areas of Connecticut, primarily through deviated fixed routes, dial-a-ride services, and job access and reverse commute services designed for transportation-disadvantaged populations including elderly persons, persons with disabilities, minorities, and low-income residents who lack alternative transportation options. Operating assistance funds cover driver wages, vehicle maintenance, and fuel. The award obligates $5.366508 million for federal fiscal year 2024, $5.530213 million for fiscal year 2025, and $5.646048 million for fiscal year 2026, with a state match from Connecticut legislative appropriation.

Capital projects include the purchase of twenty-five small buses, security cameras, computer hardware and software, maintenance equipment, and other miscellaneous support equipment. Funds also support comprehensive transit planning activities and the Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), which provides no-cost training courses and technical assistance to drivers and Section 5311 subrecipients to address specific needs of rural transit operators.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation distributes funds to Section 5311 subrecipients in nonurbanized areas throughout the state. Without this federal support, these transit services would cease to exist.

Activities

Funds are necessary to continue providing transit services to general public in the section 5311 subrecipients nonurbanized areas. Those services which primarily include deviated fixed routes dial a ride services and job access and reverse commute services are designed to maximize usage by members of the general public and especially those who are transportation disadvantaged persons including elderly persons persons with disabilities minorities and low income who often do not have any other transportation options. Majority of operating assistance funds are used for drivers wages and maintenance and fuel of the vehicles. Without these funds those services would cease to exist.capital projects include the purchase of twenty-five (25) small buses security cameras computer hardware and software maintenance equipment and other miscellaneous support equipment.funds will also be used for comprehensive transit planning activities as identified in the attached unified planning work programs. The rtap program provides various courses and technical assistance at no-cost to drivers and sub-recipients of 5311 funding. These funds are to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the specific needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas.

Expected outcomes

These projects support the rural transit program in the state of connecticut and provide continued service to the states residents.

Intended beneficiaries

Four rural transit districts and two mpos will receive funds that will benefit residents living in rural areas of connecticut.- estuary transit district - chester clinton deep river durham essex east haddam haddam killingworth lyme old lyme old saybrook westbrook east hampton and portland.- northeastern CT transit district - brooklyn canterbury killingly putnam thompson eastford plainfield pomfret woodstock and union- northwestern CT transit district - torrington winsted and litchfield barkhamsted canaan falls village sharon salisbury colebrook cornwall - goshen harwinton kent warren litchfield morris new hartford norfolk torrington winchester winsted- windham region transit district ashford chaplin columbia coventry lebanon mansfield scotland willington and windham - northeastern connecticut council of governments (NECCOG)- northwest hills council of governments (NHCOG)

Subrecipient activities

Estuary transit district - four (4) small buses miscellaneous support equipment operating assistance- northeastern CT transit district - two (2) small buses miscellaneous support equipment operating assistance- northwestern CT transit district - eight (8) small buses miscellaneous support equipment operating assistance- windham region transit district - eleven (11) small buses miscellaneous support equipment operating assistance- northeastern connecticut council of governments (NECCOG) - comprehensive transit planning- northwest hills council of governments (NHCOG) - comprehensive transit planning