Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. – 3) announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation will receive over $2.3 million from the Federal Transit Administration through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for projects in five Rural Transit Districts, including the Middletown Transit District.

“This funding will help to strengthen and improve Connecticut’s mass transit system. In doing so we will promote the use of mass transit and reduce the harmful pollution that causes global warming, as well as create jobs,” said DeLauro.

“The Middletown Transit District is grateful to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and her staff for procuring funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The new bus will enable us to continue to serve our rural constituents in the manner in which they have become accustomed,” said Tom Cheeseman, Director of the Middletown Transit Authority.

The Recovery funding is for a program of projects covering 5 rural Transit Districts in Connecticut: Estuary Transit District, based in Old Saybrook CT, Windham Regional Transit District, based in Willimantic CT, Middletown Transit District, based in Middletown CT, Northwestern CT Transit District, based in Torrington CT, and Northeastern CT Transit District, based in Dayville CT.

Specifically the funding will be for the purchase of:

• one (1) 30ft. low-floor bus for the Middletown Transit District;

• fourteen (14) <30ft. buses for the Windham Regional Transit District;

• five (5) <30ft. buses for Northeastern CT Transit District;

• two (2) <30ft. buses for Estuary Transit District; and

• two (2) <30ft. buses for Northwestern Transit District);

And the following facility Improvements, including:

• to the Northeastern Transit District maintenance facility in Dayville, CT;

• three (3) support equipment including bus shelters (Windham and Northeastern);

• signage (Windham, Middletown and Northeastern); and

• office equipment (Middletown and Northeastern).