New Britain / Bristol Preliminary Service Scenarios

The study team is considering options to improve CTtransit bus service for current and future riders in the New Britain/Bristol Division. Currently, several routes are indirect or infrequent. In addition, some route segments have low ridership while others could support a higher level of service. There are also areas that may be able to support transit service but are not currently served.

The maps below show two potential service scenarios. Each scenario is intended to address current issues and improve overall service.

Please review the maps and service descriptions below them. Afterwards, please share your thoughts by completing the survey at the bottom of the page. Thank you!

  • Mobile users: Swipe the circle on the center of each image to the left or right to toggle between existing and proposed service options.
  • Desktop users: Click and hold the left mouse button on the circle to the left or right to toggle between existing and proposed service options.

Scenario 1

Download full map here.

  • Route 500 would operate primarily along Arch Street in New Britain, between downtown and Clinic Drive. It would serve the heaviest ridership segment of the current Route 501.
  • Route 501 would operate between New Britain and Meriden, but along an alternative alignment including South Main Street, New Britain Road, Lower Lane, Berlin Turnpike, and Colony Road. Service along Chamberlain Highway would be eliminated due to low ridership potential.
  • Route 502 would operate between New Britain and Tunxis Community College, along a similar but more streamlined alignment to the current Route 503. Service to Bristol would continue to be provided by Route 102. Service in New Britain would shift to Hart Street and Grand Street to directly serve the Hospital of Central Connecticut. Service north of W. Main Street would be provided by redesigned routes 503 and 505. Service to Hartford Healthcare would be eliminated due to low ridership.
  • Route 503 would operate along a new alignment providing more direct service from downtown New Britain to Malikowski Circle via Broad Street, Clinton Street, Corbin Avenue, and Farmington Avenue. It would create convenient connections between multiple apartment complexes and key retail/grocery destinations such as Aldi and Save-a-Lot.
  • Route 504 would provide new north-south service in Bristol along Jerome Avenue, King Street, and Lake Avenue. It would also provide local connections between residential areas and Walmart, Bristol Plaza, Eastern High School, ESPN, and Bristol Shopping Center.
  • Route 505 would operate between downtown New Britain and the Stonegate Apartments. It would create convenient connections between Stonegate and Super Stop & Shop on Corbin Avenue.
  • Route 506 would operate along a more streamlined alignment between downtown New Britain and UConn Health.
  • Route 507 would operate along a more streamlined alignment between downtown New Britain and Alexander Avenue, and extend past Farmington Avenue to Slater Road and the Stonegate Apartments.
  • Route 508 would operate primarily along East Street in Plainville and Queen Street in Southington. It would provide new service to Southington with connections to other routes at Connecticut Commons.
  • Route 509 would operate primarily along E. Main Street, Newington Avenue, East Street, Dix Avenue, and 4th Service south of Newington Avenue would be picked up by a redesigned Route 510.
  • Route 510 would operate between downtown New Britain and Berlin Turnpike in Newington. It would serve the highest ridership segments of the current routes 509 and 510, as well as some segments of the current Route 512.
  • Route 512 would operate between downtown New Britain and Norpaco in Middletown. It would also serve Webster Square and Walmart in Cromwell.
  • Route 541 would operate primarily along N. Main Street and Farmington Avenue between downtown Bristol and Tunxis Community College. The route would also extend north to Unionville Center and west to Gaylord Towers.
  • Route 542 would operate between downtown Bristol and the Lake Avenue Park & Ride. Service would be clockwise and counter-clockwise as opposed to the current one-way loop.

Scenario 2

Download full map here.

  • Route 501 would operate between New Britain and Meriden, but along an alternative alignment including Arch Street, Farmington Avenue, Lower Lane, Berlin Turnpike, and Colony Road. Service along Chamberlain Highway would be eliminated due to low ridership potential.
  • Route 502 would operate between New Britain and Tunxis Community College, along a similar but more streamlined alignment to the current Route 503. Service to Bristol would continue to be provided by Route 102. Service in New Britain would shift to Hart Street and Grand Street to directly serve the Hospital of Central Connecticut. Service north of W. Main Street would be provided by redesigned routes 503 and 505.
  • Route 503 would operate along a new alignment providing more direct service from downtown New Britain to Malikowski Circle via Broad Street, Clinton Street, Corbin Avenue, and Farmington Avenue. It would create convenient connections between multiple apartment complexes and key retail/grocery destinations such as Aldi and Save-a-Lot.
  • Route 505 would operate between downtown New Britain and the Stonegate Apartments. It would create convenient connections between Stonegate and Super Stop & Shop on Corbin Avenue.
  • Route 506 would operate along a more streamlined alignment between downtown New Britain and UConn Health.
  • Route 507 would operate along a more streamlined alignment between downtown New Britain and Alexander Avenue, and extend past Farmington Avenue to Slater Road and the Stonegate Apartments.
  • Route 509 would operate primarily along E. Main Street, Newington Avenue, East Street, Dix Avenue, and 4th Service south of Newington Avenue would be picked up by a redesigned Route 510.
  • Route 510 would operate between downtown New Britain and Berlin Turnpike in Newington. It would serve the highest ridership segments of the current routes 509 and 510, as well as some segments of the current Route 512.
  • Route 512 would operate between downtown New Britain and Norpaco in Middletown. It would also serve Webster Square and Walmart in Cromwell.
  • Route 541 would operate primarily along N. Main Street, Farmington Avenue, Jerome Avenue, Stevens Street, and Stafford Avenue between downtown Bristol and Tunxis Community College. Service south of Farmington Avenue, including to the Bristol Senior Community Center, would be eliminated due to low ridership. The route would also extend north to Unionville Center and west to Gaylord Towers.
  • Route 542 would connect Bristol and Plainville to Southington via West Street, Center Street, and Queen Street. Connections to other routes would be available at the Lake Avenue Park & Ride, downtown Bristol, and Connecticut Commons in Plainville.

Scenario 1 vs. Scenario 2