HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The annual cost to operate Connecticut's bus-only system is rising as transit planners build out the route beyond its Hartford-to-New Britain corridor.

The $567 million CTfastrak operates with a $17.5 million state subsidy for the first year. That's up from $10 million the state Department of Transportation initially projected.

The Hartford Courant reports that the increase is due to added express and feeder services, circulator routes and updated labor costs, all intended to draw more riders.

Transportation Commissioner James Redeker says the initial subsidy projection was an estimate set eight years ago and based on a plan that has since changed.

Critics say the half-billion dollar cost is excessive and could have financed other transportation projects. Construction and other startup costs were financed mostly by the federal government.