Greater Portland Metro

February 2026

Bus Fare Update:

What It Means for Riders

In partnership with Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB), Greater Portland Metro is engaging in a fare policy review in Winter/Spring 2026. This process is likely to result in changes to fares, and fare policies, for BSOOB and Metro this summer.

Greater Portland Metro and BSOOB Transit last updated our fares in 2020. Prior to 2020, Metro's fare had been $1.50 for about 10 years. As part of the 2020 fare update, Metro partnered with BSOOB Transit and South Portland Bus Service (now part of Metro's system) to create a unified, electronic fare payment system with a $2.00 base fare. This process also resulted in the introduction of fare capping, free electronic transfers, and account-based pass programs, all of which have helped riders who ride more save money.

As part of the 2020 fare update, Metro's Board of Directors set a goal to review fares more often to reduce the severity of fare increases when they do happen. It has now been almost six years since the last update.

Metro staff is hosting several meetings in April 2026 to gather feedback about possible fare changes. Meetings will be held:

Thursday, April 9: 3:30 - 5:30 pm; Portland Public Library, 5 Monument Sq., Rines Auditorium
Saturday, April 11: 11 am - 1:00 pm; Westbrook Community Center, 426 Bridge St., Elm Room
Tuesday, April 14: 6-7:00 pm; Virtual Meeting

Translators available upon request. For information, survey, translations, additional meeting dates, and meeting links, visit: gpmetro.org/fare-update

Help us spread the word about these meetings; Please share and post this information (PDF)

New Route this Summer!

Between Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough

Metro staff held outreach meetings last fall asking for rider and stakeholder input on public transit in South Portland and Scarborough. Survey responses and in-person input provided helpful information for planning next steps in these two communities.

Of the 300+ responses received, top transit travel destinations included shopping, social activities, medical appointments, and jobs. Priorities for future improvements included requests for more direct routes between South Portland and Scarborough and more convenient stop locations. Transit access to beaches was also a popular request.

Plans are in the works to launch a new route this summer that will travel between Portland, South Portland, and Scarborough. While still in development, the new route will likely travel to Scarborough via the Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Route 1 with direct service to the Maine Heath Scarborough Campus, the Downs, and the Park and Ride near Haigis Parkway. Along with this new fixed-route service, Metro Connect on-demand service for parts of Scarborough is also starting this summer. Metro currently operates on-demand service in Falmouth. For information on how it works, visit gpmetro.org/connect.

For background and updates, please visit: gpmetro.org/nextstop

Listen live, Let's Connect, Thursday, Feb 5 on WMPG (90.9), or check out the archive after the broadcast.

Hear the Latest Metro News on WMPG

Listen Live or Check out the Archive

Metro's Director of Transit Development Mike Tremblay joins Andrew Clark, Transit Program Manager at Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG), to talk about 'Metro's Transit Plans for in Scarborough & Beyond.'

The new Scarborough bus route is still in the planning stages; but, Mike will overview the expected route and bus stops and discuss additional Metro Connect on-demand transit in Scarborough. He'll also talk about South Portland route updates, Metro's fare policy, open fare payment, and more.

Link to WMPG - "Let's Connect"

Service Changes Effective February 8, 2026

Metro Routes 21, BREEZ, and Metro Connect (Falmouth)

Minor changes

to improve service:

Route 21

Metro BREEZ

Metro Connect on Demand service in Falmouth will no longer provide service on Sundays. Mon-Sat serviced will not change.

Dispatches

Also hiring bus operators and a maintenance technician.

For more info, visit: gpmetro.org/job-opportunities

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