operations, the Connecticut Company was sold in 1964 to the Colony Company, headed by E. Clayton Gengras. The CR&L surrendered its last transit operating franchises in 1973, and in June 1976 Gengras sold the three remaining divisions of the Connecticut Company (Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford) to the State of Connecticut. Public ownership When the Connecticut Department of Transportation acquired the assets of the Connecticut Company, it contracted with a private management company to operate the system. Since 1979, First Transit, Inc. (formerly ATE Management and Service Company and Ryder/ATE) has provided contract management services to the State in managing the day-to-day operations of CTTRANSIT. H.N.S. Management Company (the letters symbolize the three divisions: Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford) is a wholly owned sub corporation of First Transit, established as the legal entity to perform the management contact. Today, the management of CTtransit reports to CTDOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation. CTDOT staff performs directly many functions that support the day-to-day transit operation, such as capital procurement, long-range planning, and Federal grant applications. In addition, CTDOT exercises oversight of the CTtransit operation through the budget process, authorization of major capital expenditures, service and fare policy, and monthly financial and performance reporting. Divisions CTtransit is arranged into multiple divisions: Hartford Division, the largest division of CTtransit, providing local and express bus service within Hartford County, connecting to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in Enfield, Connecticut near the state line, 9 Town Transit and Middletown Area Transit at the Middletown bus terminal, CTfastrak at Westfarms Mall, and the CTtransit New Britain Division in downtown New Britain, and CTtransit Waterbury in Torrington. Additionally, it connects with Windham Region Transit District and UConn Transportation Services in Storrs, CT. This division operates seven days a week. New Haven Division, serving the city of New Haven and nearby suburbs, with connections to the Greater Bridgeport Transportation Authority at Derby-Shelton Station, Milford Transit District and the Coastal Link at the Connecticut Post Mall, 9 Town Transit at the Madison Scranton Gazebo and CTtransit Waterbury Division in Wallingford and Meriden. Service is provided seven days a week. Stamford Division, serving the Stamford area, with connections to the Bee-Line System in White Plains and Port Chester, Hudson Link in White Plains, and Norwalk Transit, HARTransit, and the Coastal Link in Norwalk, Connecticut. Bus service is provided seven days a week. Waterbury Division, serving the city of Waterbury and immediate surrounding