The Department of Human Services launched Newtown Easy Transit, a pilot program to provide transportation to Newtown residents, earlier this month.

The program is for Newtown residents ages 60 and older, as well as disabled individuals over 18, to get to where they need to go safely, affordably, and reliably. It provides rides Monday through Friday, and can take residents to local and out-of-town locations.

Rides to Newtown Senior Center, Newtown Municipal Center, C.H. Booth Library, and FAITH Food Pantry are free.

Other in-town rides cost $3 one-way. Rides to Monroe and Southbury cost $5 one-way, and rides to Danbury cost $10 one-way. Additional towns will be considered based on availability of vans; prices will vary based on mileage.

Newtown Easy Transit also offers grocery shopping trips. It can take residents to Big Y and Caraluzzi’s on Mondays and to Stop & Shop on Fridays.

The annual registration fee for Newtown Easy Transit is $10 for non-Newtown Senior Center members; Newtown Senior Center members can register for free.

People must complete a Transportation Application at Newtown Senior Center before booking reservations. They can get a Newtown Easy Transit bag as a special gift when they sign up.

People must call at least three business days in advance by 10 am to reserve a ride; same-day rides are considered if space allows. Rides can also be booked up to one month in advance.

Daily transportation reservations for commuting to work are not available. In the event a ride is not available through the Department of Human Services, assistance is provided to identify alternative transportation.

Additional Information

Director of Human Services Natalie Griffith said Newtown Easy Transit had its inaugural ride on September 12.

Early in the week of September 8, Griffith and her team sent out postcards to much of the town detailing general information about the program. The day after, they received several calls from residents interested in Newtown Easy Transit.

Right now, the program has two buses. One is a ten passenger bus, which specifically supports residents 60 and older, and those with a disability. Griffith said they acquired the vehicle through a Department of Transportation grant.

The other is a 12 passenger bus that was purchased using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and is a shared vehicle between Newtown Senior Center and Newtown Community Center. This bus was purchased using the early ARPA funds that came to Newtown.

Griffith stressed that it is still a pilot program. Newtown Senior Center received $100,000 in ARPA funds through the State and the efforts of State Representative Mitch Bolinsky. She said they directed those funds to create Newtown Easy Transit.

However, the funding has to be exhausted by December 26, 2026.

“So right now, we’re still in the pilot stage and assessing the need,” Griffith explained. “Is the need for rides gonna be there to warrant finding funding beyond 2026?”

To that end, she said they are taking a lot of data to hopefully support ongoing grant applications.

Newtown Easy Transit has been off to a really strong start, according to Griffith. She said the response from the community has been very positive, and that they are scheduling rides, getting inquiries, and receiving applications every day.

A lot of the positive feedback from riders has focused on the ease of scheduling, the vehicles, the drivers, and working with Transportation Coordinator Jennifer Faircloth to get registered for rides.

“The bus has been on the road every day but one since we launched the program. And that was one of the earlier first few days, too,” Griffith said.

Helping Residents In Need

A transportation program to support senior residents and people with disabilities has been a long time coming for Newtown. Griffith said it was brought up to her during her first several days in town.

“Our senior population shared concerns about access to transportation and where the gaps were, so it’s something we’ve been trying to find our way on,” Griffith continued.

In turn, Faircloth worked closely with the Department of Human Services to develop a responsive, community-focused transportation program.

Faircloth started in the position on May 5 and has worked on gathering local transportation needs, hiring as-needed drivers, and arranging schedules for Newtown Easy Transit.

She previously worked at Newtown Senior Center from 2019-2022, was aware of local seniors’ concerns regarding lack of transportation.

As Newtown Easy Transit is still a pilot program, Faircloth said her goal is to help as many people as possible. People who stop by the senior center to fill out the Transportation Application can get a copy of the guidelines. If someone does not drive, Faircloth can mail them the guidelines.

“I have also driven to seniors’ homes if there isn’t enough time to work with the mail,” Faircloth said. “I am trying to make this as easy as possible for the community.”

If the provided guidelines for the program are not working, Faircloth said she will certainly make adjustments to them in the future.

Residents are still encouraged to use the SweetHART and Friends of Newtown Seniors’ Newtown Rides transportation services, according to Griffith.

Newtown Easy Transit, she said, is just another resource that residents can use. This way, people can identify what is the most economical and effective way they can get to where they need to go.

With the goal of helping the community “one trip at a time,” Faircloth and Griffith are looking forward to enhancing mobility and support for Newtown residents.

“We’re very excited, and we’re more excited that there’s been such a great response,” Griffith said. “We hope to be a useful resource going forward.”

For more information or to make a reservation, call 203-270-4297.

Reporter Jenna Visca can be reached at jenna@thebee.com.