Free Bus Passes For Veterans, Student Discounts Pitched In CT

Gov. Ned Lamont is proposing free bus passes for U.S. military veterans and discounted bus service for K-12 students.

The initiative is part of the state budget proposal Lamont recently presented to the Connecticut General Assembly.

The proposal is for free passes for veterans on Connecticut’s public bus services, such as CTtransit, CTfastrak, and various local transit districts.

Lamont also proposes allocating funding so K-12 students could get a 50% discount to ride CTtransit buses.

It would mean a $3.5 million investment, according to Lamont.

“Our veterans have provided so much to every person in our country, and this is another way we can show how much we appreciate and value their service,” Lamont said.

Under the plan, the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs would issue free bus passes to veterans.

Connecticut Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch said many veterans need transportation to get to "medical appointments, employment opportunities, and in some cases even a grocery store."

Connecticut Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said a student discount could increase access to after-school, summer enrichment and community programs.

The proposal is currently under review by the legislature’s Appropriations Committee.