Residents, municipal leaders and transit advocates are celebrating the General Assembly’s vote earlier this month to extend funding for the XtraMile microtransit pilot program through June 30, 2027.
Legislators designated $10.5 million from the Special Transportation Fund to be used for all microtransit services around the state, including XtraMile. The service is a pilot program started in 2024 and its success convinced lawmakers to extend the program for another year.
XtraMile serves Middletown, Centerbrook, East Hampton, Essex Village, Guilford, Madison, Old Saybrook, and portions of Westbrook. The XtraMile microtransit program provides that vital “first mile” or last mile” link for residents in need of public transportation but who do not live near traditional fixed-route services. Many riders use the service, similar to Uber and Lyft but at a subsidized rate, to connect to traditional bus and train services.
“The XtraMile pilot program has shown consistent increases in use since its start in 2024, including an increase of more than 30% from April of last year to April of this year across all of our service areas,” said Joe Comerford, executive director of River Valley Transit, which operates XtraMile and is based in Middletown. “The continuation means many service sector workers who keep our hospitals and hotels and restaurants and retail shops running will be able to continue getting to work on time despite their personal transportation challenges.”
Riders pay just $1.75 for the service, which is accessible to riders with disabilities and has proven popular with senior citizens and students alike. All XtraMile services combined provided over 74,000 trips last year to 2,600 individuals.
The Guilford and Madison service saw a particularly large increase in use over the past year, prompting Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey to issue the following statement:
“It’s rare for a program to show such a dramatic benefit for people of all ages and backgrounds, but the XtraMile pilot program has demonstrated just how valuable microtransit is to connect our communities. Ridership has increased 57% over the past year as people continue to see the benefit in trips to the doctor’s office, work, and even our parks and beaches,” Hoey said.
XtraMile in just those two towns provided 27,500 trips in the past year, an increase from 11,500 in the first year.
Middletown residents and students of Wesleyan University are significant users of XtraMile there. Wesleyan partners with River Valley Transit to allow students to use XtraMile microtransit and traditional fixed route services free.
Middletown Mayor Gene Nocera, in a prepared statement, noted that XraMile is a valuable investment in the local economy and quality of life issues.
“I want to thank the State of Connecticut and our legislative delegation for extending the statewide microtransit pilot program beyond June 30, 2026. This continued investment is incredibly important for our community and for the residents who rely on Middletown’s XtraMile service every day.
“The XtraMile program has proven to be more than just transportation — it is a direct connection to jobs, medical appointments, grocery stores, restaurants, and essential services. By providing affordable, on-demand rides between Wesleyan University, downtown Middletown, the North End, and the Washington Street shopping centers, the program helps bridge transportation gaps for residents, students, seniors, and workers alike.”