Affordable Transportation: 3 Programs Changing How Connecticut Residents Get Around

How M7 Expands Affordable Transportation Across Connecticut

Transportation should make life easier — not more expensive. However, for many Connecticut residents, the cost of everyday travel can quickly add up.

To help address this challenge, M7 partnered with local transit districts to expand affordable transportation options across the state. Programs like Milford Micro, GHTD Link, and Encompass give residents flexible, reliable rides at prices designed for everyday travel.

Below, we take a closer look at how these three programs are helping Connecticut communities get around more easily and at a lower cost.

Milford Micro: $3 On-Demand Rides Across Milford

At just $3 per ride, Milford Micro offers an affordable way to travel around Milford. Operated by M7 in partnership with the Milford Transit District and funded by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the service provides residents with a flexible way to reach local destinations.

Instead of following fixed routes and schedules like traditional buses, Milford Micro operates as an on-demand microtransit service. Riders can request trips through the mobile app, book online, or call customer service to schedule a ride.

Once a ride is requested, the system matches passengers with a nearby vehicle traveling in the same direction. As a result, residents can travel when and where they need within the Milford service area.

Children under two ride free, which helps make family travel even more affordable.

Milford Micro works well for many everyday trips, including:

• Commuting to work
• Visiting restaurants or local shops
• Running errands around town
• Meeting friends and family

In addition, the service uses accessible vans and sedans, making it easier for a wide range of riders, including those with disabilities, to use the program.

Drivers are trained and vetted by M7, the only NEMTAC-accredited transportation company in Connecticut. They can assist passengers who may need help getting into the vehicle or preparing for their ride — an important benefit for those traveling to medical appointments.

Overall, Milford Micro offers a simple idea: reliable, low-cost rides when you need them.

GHTD Link: $3 Shared Rides in Enfield and East Windsor

Residents in Enfield and East Windsor also have access to affordable local rides through GHTD Link.

Operated by M7 in partnership with the Greater Hartford Transit District, this on-demand rideshare program allows residents to travel within the service area for just $3 per ride, with children under two riding free.

Passengers can request rides through a mobile app, online booking, or by phone. In many cases, riders can be picked up within about 20 minutes, making the service convenient for local travel.

Once a ride is requested, the system uses ride-matching technology to group passengers traveling in the same direction. Because riders may share trips, the service can keep costs low while still providing dependable service.

GHTD Link connects several key locations, including:

• All of East Windsor, including Broad Brook
• Portions of Enfield
• The Windsor Locks Train Station

Because the service connects riders to the train station, it also helps commuters link with regional travel options.

Residents use GHTD Link for many types of everyday travel, including:

• Trips to work
• Shopping and errands
• Medical appointments
• Connecting to regional transit
• Visiting friends and family

Accessibility is also an important part of the program. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available, helping ensure riders with mobility needs can travel safely.

With support from the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the program combines local transit planning with transportation services operated by M7.

For residents in East Windsor and Enfield, GHTD Link provides a reliable and affordable way to travel locally.

Encompass: Discounted Door-to-Door Transportation for Seniors and Riders With Disabilities

For seniors and individuals with disabilities, dependable transportation is essential. Trips to doctor visits, grocery stores, or community activities require a service that is both accessible and affordable.

To meet this need, M7 partnered with Connecticut Transit Districts to operate the Encompass Program, a service designed specifically for seniors and riders with disabilities.

Encompass provides on-demand door-to-door rides with pricing designed to remain within reach.

Trips start at $5 for the first 8 miles, with each additional mile costing $2.90, helping make travel more manageable for riders living on fixed incomes.

Another advantage of Encompass is flexibility. Many services require rides to be scheduled days in advance. Encompass allows riders to book when they need a trip, with service available 24/7, 365.

Passengers also benefit from several rider-friendly features:

• Door-to-door service
• Fully trained and vetted drivers
• Accessible vehicles
• The ability to bring up to three additional passengers at the same trip cost

Trips are automatically charged to the rider’s account, which means no cash or payment is needed during the ride.

The program serves several regions across Connecticut, including:

• Greater Hartford
• Greater New Haven
• Greater Middlesex County

Eligible riders must be 60 years or older or have a qualifying disability, and applications are approved through local transit districts.

By combining accessibility, flexibility, and discounted pricing, Encompass helps riders stay independent while remaining connected to their communities.

For Service in the Greater Hartford area you must reside in one of the following towns:

Avon, Berlin, Bloomfield, Bristol, Cromwell, East Hartford, Ellington, Farmington, Glastonbury, Hartford, Manchester, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, Newington, Plainville, Rocky Hill, South Windsor, Tolland, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor, or Windsor Locks

For service in the Greater New Haven area you must reside in one of the following towns:

Bethany, Branford, East Haven, Hamden, New Haven, North Branford, Northford, North Haven, Orange, Wallingford, West Haven, and Woodbridge

For service in the Greater Middlesex County area you must reside in one of the following towns:

Clinton, Lyme, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook

Finding Affordable and Reliable Transportation for Medical Appointments in Connecticut

Reliable transportation can make it easier for patients to attend appointments, pick up prescriptions, and stay connected to healthcare services.

Programs like Encompass help address these needs by offering discounted door-to-door transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities who require dependable rides to medical appointments.

In addition, community programs such as Milford Micro and GHTD Link allow riders to travel within their service areas to nearby clinics, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities.

When providers combine accessibility, trained drivers, and flexible scheduling, residents can find transportation options that make healthcare travel easier and more dependable.

M7’s Role in Expanding Affordable Transportation Across Connecticut

Together, Milford Micro, GHTD Link, and Encompass illustrate how M7 works with local transit districts to support community mobility across Connecticut.

Through these partnerships, M7 helps operate transportation programs that give residents more ways to travel locally, access important services, and stay connected within their communities.

By supporting these initiatives, M7 contributes to transportation solutions that improve mobility not only in individual towns but across the state.

Getting Started with Transportation Services in Your Community

Because of these partnerships and programs, transportation options are becoming more accessible for many Connecticut residents.

Services like Milford Micro, GHTD Link, and Encompass provide practical ways to travel locally, connect to transit, or reach important destinations such as work, shopping, and medical appointments.

If you live in one of the participating service areas, you can start using these programs today.

Learn more about each service and how to request a ride:

In addition to these community programs, M7 also provides 24/7 on-demand transportation across Connecticut, including wheelchair-accessible rides and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT).

If you need transportation outside of these programs, you can book a ride directly with M7 through the mobile app, online booking, or by phone.

Affordable Transportation: Three Programs Changing How Connecticut Residents Get Around