|
The Maine Department of Transportation Announces $2 million Awarded in State Funds for Discretionary Transit Projects
Sam Updike, DBE Supportive Services Specialist
The Maine State Transit Plans put forward a strategy to increase service, improve information, remove barriers, address the needs of underserved populations in rural Maine, improve transit facilities, address labor shortages, transition to more environmentally-friendly vehicles, and to improve Maine’s transit fleet. MaineDOT has announced $2 million in awarded funds to ten agencies to help achieve this strategy. The agencies awarded include the Bangor community connector, Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit, Casco Bay Island Transit District, Downeast Community Partners, Greater Portland Transit District, Lewiston Auburn Transit Committee, Penquis Community Action Program, Regional Transportation Program, Western Maine Transportation Services, and York County Community Action Corporation.
Some of these awards include $467,327 to the Bangor Community Connector for two hybrid or electric vehicles and driver training. There was also an award of $424,835 for the Western Maine Transportation Service for upgraded vehicle-tracking technology, two vehicles, a pilot service in Oxford Hills and Farmington, as well as a pilot service between Oxford Hills and Lewiston/Auburn. Sandy Buchanan, Executive Director of Western Maine Transportation Services said, “These investments allow Maine public transit operators to provide safe, dependable, and efficient transit services to residents and visitors across the State of Maine, WMTS appreciates this support. It will allow us to provide more access to more people who choose to ride public transit, as well as those who depend on public transit." Other awards included $261,255 to support the merger of the Greater Portland Transit District and the South Portland Bus Service, and $98,000 to the Regional Transportation Program for a microtransit pilot project in Standish and Gorham.
This support was available through FY2025 state funding for the 2023 Maine State Transit Plan, the 2023 Locally Coordinated Plan, and other MaineDOT planning and policy priorities. The projects selected were determined through a competitive application process. "Maine's transit agencies play vital roles in meeting the transportation needs of our people every day," said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. "Reliable transit service also reduces the impact the transportation sector has on our climate. Our team is pleased to use a portion of the recently expanded state transit funding to allow providers to innovate and help enhance, expand, and improve these valuable services throughout Maine."
| 
