Transit

Public transportation services (bus, train) for getting around the region:

Bus

Local fixed route and paratransit bus services are provided throughout the NVCOG region.

Waterbury

Local Bus Service
Bus service in the Waterbury area is operated by the Waterbury division of CTtransit.  The service is oriented to the urban core, with 23 designated routes radiating from downtown Waterbury to Middlebury, Naugatuck, Watertown, and Wolcott. North East Transportation Company (NETCO), under contract to the CTDOT, operates the system. Additionally, there are 6 tripper routes and 3 routes leaving the region: New Haven, Hartford, and Meriden.

The NVCOG completed the Waterbury Area Transit Study (WATS) in 2017. The study evaluated current bus operations and identified opportunities for improved bus service within the service district. It also identified the costs and capital requirements to expand the system to fully meet the needs of residents.

Visit the CTtransit website for information about routes and schedules.

Complementary ADA Paratransit Services
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the NETCO operates transportation services for individuals who, because of their disability, are unable to travel on the fixed route public transit service operated by CTtransit (Waterbury Division). The paratransit service is designed to provide those persons with disabilities equal access to public transportation. Additionally, individuals who have been certified as ADA eligible in other communities may use the local ADA paratransit service when visiting this region.

Riders may be picked up at any location within 3/4 mile of a local CTtransit bus route. For exact details on whether your location in the Waterbury area is eligible for ADA paratransit services, please call North East Transportation at (203) 756‑5550.

Dial-a-ride and other services available in the Waterbury Area
Additional dial-a-ride and paratransit services are available to eligible riders in Cheshire, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, and Wolcott through the GWTD.  This service is similar to the complementary ADA paratransit services but without the need to be within the service area of the fixed-route bus system.  This service is also operated by NETCO.

Please visit the GWTD website for more information regarding the services available to member communities.

Lower Naugatuck Valley

Local Bus Service
The New Haven division of CTtransit operates one route that serves local destinations in the lower Naugatuck Valley region communities of Derby, Shelton, Ansonia and Seymour.  The route connects that part of the region to downtown New Haven.  The 255 route operates along Route 34 from New Haven before serving the Derby-Shelton Train Station, downtown Shelton, Griffin Hospital, downtown Ansonia and downtown Seymour.

Visit the CTtransit website for information about routes and schedules.

Greater Bridgeport Local Bus Service
Limited fixed route bus service is also operated by the Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBT) from the downtown Bridgeport Transportation Center to the Derby-Shelton train station and employment centers along Bridgeport Avenue and Constitution Boulevard in Shelton.

• The 15 route operates as a local route between downtown Bridgeport and Bridgeport Avenue before terminating at the Derby-Shelton Train Station.
• The 22X route is an express route operating between the Bridgeport Transportation Center and the Shelton business park on Bridgeport Avenue.  This route operates only during the morning and evening peak periods.
• The 23 route serves the Bridgeport Transportation Center and the Stratford Rail Station before continuing north to the Derby-Shelton Train Station.

Visit the GBT website for information about routes and schedules.

Complementary ADA Paratransit Services and Dial-a-Ride
Valley Transit District (VTD) is comprised of Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Valley Transit District (VTD) operates transportation services for individuals who, because of their disability, are unable to travel on the local fixed route bus service operated by CTtransit (New Haven Division) and GBT. The paratransit service is designed to provide those persons with disabilities equal access to public transportation. Additionally, individuals who have been certified as ADA eligible in other communities may use the local ADA paratransit service when visiting this region.  Riders may be picked up at any location within 3/4 mile of a local fixed route.

In addition to the complementary ADA service, the VTD also operates a dial-a-ride service Monday through Friday. The program is operated independently from the complementary ADA service and provides coverage throughout the four-town district. This service is available for both the general public and elderly and disabled riders. Reservations must be made one day in advance.

For details on ADA and dial-a-ride services operated by the VTD, please call VTD at (203) 735-6824 or visit the VTD website.

Bristol

Local Bus Service
The Bristol-New Britain division of CTtransit operates 12 fixed-bus routes to the municipalities of New Britain, Bristol, Plainville, and Berlin. The system is oriented to downtown New Britain, but four routes provide local serve within Bristol. The 502 route operates from downtown Bristol to downtown New Britain and the 541 route connects downtown Bristol to Tunxis Community College in Farmington. The 542 and 543 routes are short, loop routes within the downtown area.

Visit the CTtransit website for information about routes and schedules.

CTfastrak

BRT Service
The CTfastrak is the first bus rapid transit system in Connecticut. It operates along a 9.4-mile dedicated roadway for buses between the downtown New Britain bus station and downtown Hartford. Several CTfastrak-branded bus routes extend from the New Britain station and provide limited stop service to areas beyond the dedicated busway. One CTfastrak-branded bus route operates within the Naugatuck Valley planning region: Route 102. This routes extends from the New Britain CTfastrak station to downtown Bristol.

Visit the CTtransit website for information about routes and schedules.

CTtransit

Express Bus Service
The Hartford Division of CTtransit– operates 25 express bus routes to Hartford from throughout the state. These routes operate primarily along interstate and other expressways and make limited number of stops, usually at state-designated park-and-ride lots. Four express bus routes operate from cities and towns in the Naugatuck Valley planning region:
• Route 923 – Bristol Express
• Route 924 – Southington/Cheshire Express
• Route 925 – Waterbury Express
• Route 928 – Southington/Cheshire/Waterbury Express

• Route 940 – Meriden/Waterbury Express

Visit the CTtransit website for information about routes and schedules.

Commuter Railroad

Commuter rail service is provided through the Naugatuck Valley region along the Waterbury branch line (WBL) of the New Haven main rail line. The branch line runs from Waterbury to Bridgeport with stops at the Derby-Shelton, Ansonia, Seymour, Beacon Falls, Naugatuck and Waterbury train stations. CTDOT installed a full traffic control signal system, by-pass sidings and Positive Train Control by the in 2020 that will allow more than one train to operate on the line at any given time. The increase of service following these upgrades will occur in July 2022. The NVCOG works with CTDOT, Metro North Railroad and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on planning activities associated with the WBL. Ongoing efforts include an assessment of transit alternatives within the corridor that promote investments and upgrades of the WBL infrastructure, equipment and service. To learn more about this study, visit the Waterbury Branch Line Corridor Alternate Transit Assessment website.

Visit the Metro-North website for information about routes and schedules.

Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans

• CTtransit Hartford-New Haven PTASP
• Valley Transit District PTASP 
• North East Transportation Co. PTASP
• New Britain Transportation Co. PTASP
• Greater Bridgeport Transit PTASP