Liability of district. Joint assumption of liability imposed upon district officer, agent or employee

(a) Any district operating a transit service pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be responsible for any injury or damage to persons or property, happening or arising by reason of the maintenance or operation of the same, in the same manner and to the same extent as though the same were owned and operated by individuals or by a private corporation. Members of the board shall not be personally liable to suits in such cases except for malfeasance in office. Any member of the board shall be an agent of the district for service of process. (b) Each town, city or borough which has joined with other towns, cities or boroughs to form a district pursuant to this chapter shall jointly assume the liability imposed upon any officer, agent or employee of such district, acting in the performance of his duties and in the scope of his employment, under, and in the manner and in accordance with the procedures set forth in, subsection (a) of section 7-465. Such joint assumption of liability shall be proportionately shared by the towns, cities and boroughs in such district on the same basis that the expenses of such district are shared.