Because of the dense population in Connecticut, some routes historically were more like "interurban trolley" lines.
Bus service in Waterbury and Meriden was eventually assumed by Northeast Transportation Co., operating under contract for Connecticut Transit. Listed first are old numbered bus routes in Waterbury, followed by lettered bus routes in Meriden.
For many years, the dominant bus company in Waterbury was Connecticut Railway & Lighting Co. The Northeast Transportation Co. was the third largest bus company in Waterbury, only operating the Long Hill route. The second largest bus company was the Cooke Street Line. But Connecticut Railway & Lighting Co. acquired that company in 1969.
Northeast Transportation Co. also briefly held the Wolcott and the Bunker Hill routes, having acquired them from Frank La Cava and from the Bunker Hill Transportation Co. But those routes were eventually sold to Connecticut Railway & Lighting Co.
Unless noted, all routes were operated by Connecticut Railway & Lighting Co. Information is available for former streetcar routes. Information is not available for new bus routes introduced by Connecticut Railway & Lighting, or by the Connecticut Co. Although some separate route numbers presumably apply to branches added later to earlier routes. Connecticut Railway & Lighting ceased operations in 1972.
The Connecticut Co. operated streetcars and buses in Meriden and nearby Middletown until 1959, when those divisions were sold to H & W Transit Co. H & W Transit Co. ceased operations in 1967, and the Connecticut Co. resumed operations in Meriden. In 1968, the operations in Meriden were assumed by Joseph H. McMahon Co. Eventually, Northeast Transportation Co. assumed the Meriden operations under contract for Connecticut Transit.
Route Route Streetcar Streetcars
Number Name Route Letter Discontinued
411 11 Willow-Overlook D 5/23/37
412 12 Hill Street
413 13 Cooke-Oakville-Fairmount Cooke Street Line 1969 to CR&L
416 15 Bucks Hill/Farmcrest H 4/ 4/37
416 16 Bucks Hill/Montoe
417 17 Thomaston
418 18 Long Hill-Berkeley NE Transp. Co. introduced 1921
421 20 Walnut
422 22 Wolcott Frank La Cava 1932 to NETC/1942 to CR&L
425 25 Meriden-Hitchcock Lake
426 26 East Main (Fairlawn)
426 27 East Main (Reidville) D 8/ 5/34
428 28 East Main-Scott Road
431 31 Hamilton-East Mountain
432 32 Sylvan
433 33 Baldwin-Hopeville C 1/11/31
436 35 Town Plot/New Haven
436 36 Town Plot/Bradley H 4/ 4/37
441 40 Town Plot/Highland
442 42 Chase Parkway 5/28/30
444 44 Bunker Hill Bunker H. Transp. Co. 1931 to NETC/1934 to CR&L
445 45 Watertown 5/23/37
446 49 Watertown-Industrial Park
447 47 Watertown-Straits Tpke.
450 Waterbury-Torrington
460 J Waterbury-Cheshire
470 74 Waterbury-Naugatuck
471 N1 Rubber Ave.-Millville
472 N2 New Haven Rd.-Straitsville
473 N1 Spring Street
479 114 Waterbury-Beacon Falls N 11/ 4/35 Interurban
Route Route Former Streetcars
Number Name Route Letter Discontinued
561 Pratt St. A 9/16/31
561 Colony St. A 8/29/31
563 Yale Acres
564 Hanover B 9/11/31
564 Cook B 9/22/29
565 West Main C 9/11/31
566 East Main C 12/ 4/27
590 Middletown 12/ 4/27 Interurban
215 Curtis St. C 6/17/31
Plainville 9/28/31 Interurban
For a period of time in Meriden, service did not exist on Colony St.No bus route remains between Meriden and Plainville, which was an interurban trolley route.