Gov. Dannel Malloy joined New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra in New Britain today to celebrate the launch of the new CTfastrak busway.
After 20 years of planning, debate and construction, the Hartford-to-New Britain busway is officially open for business and will begin servicing the public tomorrow, March 28.
Malloy, whose top priority this year is improving the state's transportation system, acknowledged that although it has been a bumpy ride to get here, the shiny new buses and bus stops are signs of good things to come.
"This is in some senses the first four years of our administration's down payment on improving transportation here in Connecticut for ourselves, for our economy, for our children and future generations," Malloy said as he stepped off the green bus at Friday's kickoff event.
Stewart and Segarra shared their support for the bus line, saying the link between the two cities will only help them and the region.
The federal government funded 80 percent of the $567 million mass transit system, but even with the project settled, critics say there will be more empty than filled seats along the way.
State Sen. Joe Markley is among those who doubt the system.
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"Five years from now, 10 years from now, what do you think we're going to be saying about CTfastrak? I think it will be known as Malloy's folly," he said.
The first rides on CTfastrak will start Saturday morning at 5:02 am.
