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Governor Lamont Announces $35.7 Million Federal Grant To Modernize and Expand Windham Region Transit District Bus Facility [[link removed]]
Posted on November 24, 2025
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto today announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has been awarded $35.7 million in federal funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) FY25 Bus Low or No-Emission Grant Program [[link removed]] to support the modernization and expansion of the Windham Region Transit District (WRTD) bus facility in Mansfield.
The project will more than double the size of the existing facility, enabling it to support a fleet of up to 50 low and zero-emission battery electric buses. The upgraded facility will include 25 new chargers, administrative space, a bus wash, and indoor storage to ensure reliable, uninterrupted service for the region.
WRTD currently serves 23 municipalities, including the University of Connecticut Storrs campus, with nine fixed routes, ADA paratransit, and dial-a-ride services. The expanded facility will support both WRTD and UConn transit operations, enhancing regional connectivity, and improving access to major employers, healthcare providers, and educational institutions. WRTD’s service area covers a large, rural section of eastern Connecticut, with more than 50% of residents indicating they have one vehicle or no access to a vehicle. In fiscal year 2024, WRTD provided more than 1.1 million passenger trips.
Governor Lamont said, “This investment is a major step forward in our commitment to clean transportation and reliable public transit. By modernizing this facility, we’re not only reducing emissions and improving service, but also creating jobs and expanding access to opportunity in eastern Connecticut. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking infrastructure our state needs.”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal said, “This huge federal boost for clean and green transportation will be a game changer for eastern Connecticut. Federal funding of $35.7 million will allow the Windham Region Transit District to upgrade its bus facility to support more zero- and low-emission buses. This is a smart investment in climate friendly transportation that will reduce emissions and help prevent air pollution. I am thrilled that U.S. DOT funded this critical project and will keep fighting for strong federal support to improve Connecticut’s infrastructure.”
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy said, “So many people in eastern Connecticut, particularly college students and rural seniors, don’t have reliable access to transportation, which can make it impossible for them to consistently get to work, medical appointments, or class. But with these federal dollars, we are going to majorly upgrade and expand the UConn and WRTD transit networks to make it much easier for eastern Connecticut residents to get where they need to be – and we’re going to create a lot of good paying jobs in the process. This is going to be a game changer for thousands of people in rural communities and provide a significant boost to the region’s economy.”
Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) said, “This 2021 Infrastructure Law grant award is great news for bus service in eastern Connecticut. The project will double the size of the current WRTD-UConn bus facility in Mansfield, which supports both WRTD and UConn bus service, and upgrade the facility to support up to 50 zero emission electric buses. In an area with so many college students at UConn and Eastern Connecticut State University who rely on public transportation, and with so much new housing along Route 195 in Mansfield, this project is really a perfect fit. It’s exactly the type of targeted investment in our communities that the Infrastructure Law was passed to make possible. Four years after Congress passed the bill, it continues to pay dividends for eastern Connecticut.”
Commissioner Eucalitto said, “This project reflects CTDOT’s commitment to a cleaner, more efficient transit future. We’re proud to work with our transit partners to deliver a facility that meets the needs of our communities today and into the future. This work would not be possible without continued federal and state financial support. Thank you to USDOT Secretary Duffy, FTA Administrator Molinaro, our Congressional delegation, and Governor Lamont for believing in this important expansion project.”
Corrie Washington, executive director of the WRTD, said, “This infrastructure investment will significantly enhance the public transportation WRTD serves across eastern Connecticut. I'm excited for what this project means for our employees, passengers, and our region. The new facility will increase storage and charging capacity. It will also allow us to operate more efficiently, strengthen regional mobility, and provide cleaner, quieter, and more reliable transportation for the communities we serve.”
The facility will serve as a centralized hub for both fleets, hosting nearly 90 staff, and featuring advanced safety systems, including fire suppression and exhaust-free environments. The project aligns with Connecticut’s clean energy priorities to meet the goal of a fully battery-electric bus fleet by 2035.
The total project cost is approximately $49 million, with the FTA grant being matched by $13.3 million of state funding.
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