[IMAGE]Niantic-Bus-001-2.jpg[/IMAGE]Last week, First Transit-managed Estuary Transit District in Centerbrook, Conn., received the Rural System of the Year award at this year's Community Transportation Association Expo in Indianapolis.

The Community of Transportation Association of America (CTAA), celebrating its 25-year anniversary, organized the event. This award is given each year to the transportation agency that provides service in an urban area with a population of less than 50,000. The award is given to a transit operation that has presented innovative and creative services within the community and has displayed exceptional responsiveness to its customers' and community needs.

"This is a great honor and we are very proud to have received this award," said Joe Comerford, executive director, Estuary Transit District/First Transit. "This was a group effort and I greatly appreciate the work my staff has done over the years to achieve this recognition."

First Transit has managed fixed-route and paratransit service for the organization since January of 2009.