GBT Proposal Extends Bus Service On Route 25 in Monroe

A blue Greater Bridgeport Transit bus may soon be dropping off and picking up passengers further north on Main Street. First Selectman Steve Vavrek is working closely with GBT, so town businesses can benefit from employees taking advantage of the public transportation to get to work.

During a recent Town Council meeting, Vavrek touted the economic growth he believes an extended bus line may provide. Approvals are still needed for GBT's pilot service program.


"This proposal is intended to introduce service on State Route 25, in Monroe, as far north as Upper Stepney," Vavrek told reporters in an email. "GBT will provide six trips every weekday, three trips in the morning and three in the afternoon, which will arrive in Upper Stepney every hour."

He said morning trips would arrive at 7, 8 and 9 a.m. and afternoon trips at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.

The proposed routing of this service will begin at the Westfield Trumbull Mall, in Trumbull and provide local service along Main Street/Newtown Turnpike (State Route 111), in Trumbull, to the intersection of State Route 111 and State Route 25, according to Vavrek. Proposed routing then calls for local service to be provided along State Route 25, to Upper Stepney.

"While GBT has not yet specified stop locations, some locations we would propose to consider would be at the intersections of State Route 25 and Victoria Drive, in Stepney and Upper Stepney," he said.

The first selectman said any proposed stop locations would have to be approved by the Monroe Police Department, as well as GBT's own Safety and Training Department and Planning and Service Development Department.

The next step in GBT's service planning process is to seek comment on this proposal from GBT's riders and the general public. The first selectman encourages any residents who want to attend to go to the meetings.

There are two sessions this Wednesday in the second-floor Community Room of the GBT Bus Station, 710 Water Street, Bridgeport. One from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and a later one from 4 to 6 p.m.

A Public Hearing is scheduled at the same location this Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m.