9 Town Transit’s 100,000th passenger Anthony Lancaster receives an award of a free month’s bus pass.

After four years of strong growth, 9 Town Transit topped 100,000 trips in a one year period for the first time in its 32-year history.  Old Lyme is one of the nine towns covered by the bus service.

The 100,000th passenger boarded a Shoreline Shuttle bus on Dec. 30at the Post Office Square bus stop in Clinton.  Anthony Lancaster of New London waited for the with a co-worker.  Both were headed home from their jobs at Murphy Moving & Storage.

“I take the bus every day from New London to Branford”, says Lancaster.  “Without 9 Town Transit, I wouldn’t be able to get to work.”

Lancaster was met by 9 Town Transit executive director Joseph Comerford and operations manager Allison Meshnick as he boarded the bus toward Old Saybrook.  The two presented Lancaster with a free one month bus pass, good on all 9 Town Transit routes.

Comerford says Lancaster represents the fastest growing segment of 9 Town Transit users.  Commuters are now more than half of all transit trips in the region and growing.

Since 2009, 9 Town Transit has grown ridership ship 88% by expanding the reach and hours of its services.  Public bus service is now available from the shoreline to New Haven, New London, Middletown, Haddam and Hartford, all for a fare of $1.50.   Most services now begin around 6 a.m. and end at 7 p.m. or later.  Connections are offered to four neighboring transit systems.

In mid-January, East Haddam will partner with 9 Town Transit to offer general public Dial-A Ride throughout the town, further expanding the service area.  Dial-A-Ride service will now be provided to eleven towns.  All services are open to the general public.

Additional information, route maps and schedules are available online at www.9towntransit.com or by calling 9 Town Transit at 860-510-0429.