September 13, 2005
Our 9 Town Transit System: Getting on Board
By Barbara Klein

Did you see the beautiful 9 Town Transit bus at the Killingworth Town Picnic, the bus with the turquoise and blue ripples painted on its side? It's not a bad idea to inquire about how the services offered by the Estuary Transit District (ETD) may meet your needs. You may want to think twice about buying that jalopy for your teenager, or take the bus to visit your mother while your car is being repaired, or keep a doctor's appointment when you are unable to drive. You may even save commuting time and money by using the bus to connect with the Shoreline East.

The Estuary Transit District, with its fleet of 9 Town Transit buses, offers public transportation service for everyone in the towns of Clinton, Chester, Deep River, Essex, Killingworth, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook. The Shoreline Shuttle offers regular service along Route 1 from Old Saybrook through Clinton and into Madison, Monday through Saturday, from 6:30 am to 6:00 pm.

Every bus is wheelchair accessible and equipped with easy to use bicycle racks. Buses pass through town as many as 24 times a day . Stops include Post Office Square and Clinton Crossings as well as Hammonasset, and the center of Madison. Also included are the Tanger Outlets in Westbrook, and the train station in Old Saybrook. The buses may be flagged down and boarded anywhere along the route. Free transfers into New Haven via the CTTRANSIT route are available from Madison and at the Old Saybrook Train station.

The 9 Town Transit Services are available to everybody regardless of age or ability. This includes both the Off-Route and Transit-On-Call services. The regular fare is $2.50, with a senior fare (60 and over) of $1.25. Transfers are free, as are children aged 4 or younger. The transfers are good for continuing a one- way trip.

James Rode, ETD Administrator, explained that the 9 Town Transit system is funded through the State Department of Transportation and is supported by federal, state and local money. Its purpose is to give more people mobility and an option for transportation. In spending the day with both a bus and his family at the Killingworth Town Picnic, Rode worked to raise awareness of ETD's services in our own town.

Transit-on-Call services may be of particular interest to Killingworth residents where regular route services are not available. "Residents may schedule transportation from their homes to anywhere within the nine town Estuary region. Buses operate Monday through Friday and reservations can be made 1 week in advance and must be received at least the day before. Same day Transit-on-Call pick up is not available."

Informational flyers are on hand at Town Hall, the Library, and the Killingworth Senior Center. Additional information may be obtained by calling Jim Rode at 395-0891 or visiting the website at www.estuarytransit.org.

With rising gasoline costs, it is becoming more economical to use the 9 Town Transit System It may also be less stressful, certainly reduces pollution, and may even result in making new friends. To paraphrase an old song, "Take the bus, Gus!"
(Barbara Klein is a member of the KDTC and Treasurer of the Estuary Transit District.)

( For more about the Killingworth Democratic Town Committee visit our website at www.killingworth.dems.info)

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