State Sen. Andrew Roraback ripped the proposed New Britain to Hartford busway Friday morning before the measure was approved in a fast vote.
Roraback said the $567 million project was a waste of money at a time when the state and federal governments are running up large deficits.
A Litchfield County Republican, Roraback said the state could buy 28,350 new Jeep Patriots at $20,000 each with the money that was being spent on the 9.4-mile busway from downtown New Britain to Hartford's Union Station.
After comments by Roraback and Republican state Rep. Sean Williams, Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy immediately called for a vote. Neither Malloy nor any of the proponents for the busway made any comments before the vote.
The measure passed by 7 to 3 on the 10-member commission.