Serving Southeastern Connecticut Since 1975.
SEAT is a transit district, created by local towns in New London county as authorized by the General Statues of CT (Chapter 103A). Although primarily relying on State funds, SEAT is a local government agency not a State agency. SEAT’s member towns are: East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington and Waterford. Each member town appoints one or two board members (based upon population) to represent them as part of the SEAT Conselho de Administração. This Board is responsible for setting general policy and budgets for the transit district.
SEAT is proud to be the trusted transit provider for it’s nine towns in Southeastern Connecticut, offering accessible fixed-route, paratransit e micro-transit services to our local communities.
Our Mission Statement.
The mission of Southeast Area Transit District is to operate a safe, effective and outstanding regional public transportation system, linked to inter-modal resources. This will enhance the quality of life for all that work, live and visit Southeastern Connecticut. It will promote and support regional growth for the present and future transportation needs. It must meet the needs generated by future regional growth in Southeastern Connecticut.
Our Goal.
Our History: A Unified Transit District.
Ever wondered how SEAT got started? Explore our history and how our fleet has grown over the years.
For nearly 50 years, the Southeast Area Transit District (SEAT) has been connecting people, jobs, and communities across New London County. What began as a vision to unify fragmented local bus services has grown into a regional transportation system serving thousands of riders each year.
Where It All Began
In December 1975, the towns of East Lyme, Groton, Montville, New London, and Norwich voted to form a district under the Code of Connecticut. Ledyard and Waterford joined shortly after, followed by other towns including Griswold, Stonington, and Lisbon. Their simple yet transformative goal was to create a coordinated transit system to replace and merge the independent bus services operating throughout the region.
The Early Years on the Road
Although federal and state funding delays slowed progress, SEAT officially began operations in April 1980. Service launched in New London and Norwich, taking over routes previously run by local operators. SEAT also added a commuter line connecting Groton and Norwich. During these early years, SEAT operated from a leased facility in Norwich until moving to its new state-funded administrative and maintenance facility in Preston in 1982.
In response to the Navy’s expansion in the 1980s, SEAT provided dedicated shuttles from member towns to Electric Boat during morning and afternoon shifts. Between shifts, buses ran local and regional routes to keep communities connected.
Growth, Change, and Community Impact
As Southeastern Connecticut grew, so did SEAT’s services. Routes expanded, commuter lines adjusted, and partnerships were forged to meet evolving transportation needs. In Norwich, a federally funded Intermodal Transportation Center became the hub for local routes, offering convenient transfers and connections. Service studies like the Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) have guided ongoing route planning to align with regional growth.
SEAT Today
Today, SEAT proudly serves nine member towns — East Lyme, Griswold, Groton, Lisbon, Montville, New London, Norwich, Stonington, and Waterford — providing fixed-route bus service, on-demand micro-transit, and ADA paratransit transportation.
Our mission and goals remain focused on operating a safe, effective, and outstanding public transportation system that connects riders to work, school, shopping, and community life. By linking to intermodal resources, SEAT enhances the quality of life for residents and visitors while supporting sustainable regional growth.
At SEAT, we are committed to:
- Providing reliable, accessible transportation for all residents of Southeastern Connecticut
- Supporting economic development by connecting people with jobs and local businesses
- Adapting services to meet the needs of a growing and changing region
- Operating efficiently to deliver the best value for riders and member towns
From our first ride in 1980 to the thousands of trips we provide each year, SEAT has been, and will always be, more than buses. We’ve been your connection to what matters most.
