NEW LONDON — A planned November study will examine the city’s fixed-route buses and SmartRide service, with rider feedback helping shape recommendations, The Day reported October 27.
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments will oversee the $50,000 Comprehensive Operations Analysis. An online survey will gather trip origins and destinations, frequency of use and reasons for riding. Stakeholder meetings will also inform the review.
Options could include revised routes, a different balance between buses and microtransit, or retaining fixed-route service, according to The Day. The work is expected to take up to five months.
The review follows last year’s effort to keep SmartRide operating after temporary federal funding ended. It does not itself authorize a service reduction or replacement: changes would need a separate hearing and approvals from regional, transit and state officials.
Riders should watch for the forthcoming survey; no live survey link was verified for this report.
Eastern CT News prepared this AI-written article from John Penney’s full original report in an authorized The Day session. Interviews were conducted by The Day.
Photo: Passengers at New London Union Station on October 27, 2026. Brian Delk / The Day.