(Photo by Greater Portland Metro/Facebook)
As part of the state’s interest in expanding public transportation, new commuter bus service between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn launched Monday.
The new route — called “The LAP” — will have six stops and run throughout the day from 4:30 a.m. until midnight on weekdays. The bus will also run from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends, according to a news release from the Maine Department of Transportation. The fare for a one-way trip is $8.
Although the route was designed with workforce transportation in mind, it is not limited to that. The LAP is a $2.8 million pilot program that will operate for at least two years to show demand for any potential new public transportation between the two regions.
Efforts from lawmakers to increase public transportation options in Maine have largely been stalled by fears of low ridership. For example, a bill that sought to study a potential train line from Portland to Bangor, that would have passed through Lewiston, died earlier this year.
Climate advocates have also pushed for more transit choices outside of cars as a means to curb carbon emissions, since transportation is responsible for nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions in Maine.
The new route includes two stops in Lewiston (Bates College and the Oak Street Bus Station), two in Auburn (the Auburn Transportation Center and the Maine Turnpike Exit 75 Park and Ride), and two in Portland (Monument Square and the Portland Transportation Center).
Schedule details and ticket information can be found on the Token Transit app. Tickets can be purchased on the app by selecting “Buy Passes” and then searching for “The LAP.” Drivers will also accept cash payments with exact amounts.
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