Norwalk bus ridership jumps 30% one year after route overhaul

NORWALK, Conn. — Norwalk Transit District leaders marked one year of their redesigned bus network this week, saying ridership has jumped by roughly 30% since the system overhaul rolled out last August.

Transit District CEO Matt Pentz said the agency completed an 18-month study of its bus network before making the change. The old system ran on a “pulse” model with 14 routes. The new system uses a modified hub-and-spoke design with seven longer routes that run more often and are easier to follow, Pentz said.

Mayor Barbara Smyth put the ridership increase at 31%, saying the district logged more than 260,000 additional trips over the past year.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz attended the event and said the added ridership reflects roughly 40,000 more people using the bus system. She credited state investment in transit-oriented housing near the Norwalk train station for helping drive that growth.

State Sen. Bob Duff, the Senate Majority Leader, said the state budget included $1.6 million for route improvements and ADA compliance work, along with another $1 million for the Coastal Link route. He also pointed to state funding for the district’s micro transit program, which he said completed 57,000 trips over the past year.

State Rep. Kadeem Roberts, who represents Norwalk’s 137th District, said he grew up riding Norwalk’s buses and pushed for improvements to Route 10 before the system redesign.

City Transportation, Mobility and Parking Director Jim Travers said the department is working with the transit district on a transit signal prioritization pilot. The technology is designed to hold traffic signals longer for buses that are running behind schedule.

Pentz said the district plans to add more bus shelters, benches, and signage as part of ongoing upgrades. He also thanked the district’s roughly 100 drivers and maintenance workers, several of whom attended Monday’s event, for keeping the system running.