MaineDOT Seeking Bidders for Pilot Commuter Bus Service Linking Portland and Lewiston/Auburn

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation has published a Request for Proposal, seeking bidders for a pilot program to provide commuter bus service between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn.

MaineDOT is advancing the design and implementation of a minimum two-year pilot commuter bus service that provides a level of frequency and service envisioned by recent rail studies of this corridor. The goal is to begin the service in the first half of 2024. This pilot bus service will serve as an indicator of the latent demand and potential market for enhanced public transportation between the Portland and Lewiston/Auburn regions.

Throughout the summer and fall of 2023, MaineDOT and consultant Cambridge Systematics gathered stakeholder input and analyzed several potential routes, ultimately identifying a preferred alternative that includes stops at Bates College, the Oak Street Bus Station in Lewiston, the Auburn Transportation Center, the Maine Turnpike Exit 75 Park and Ride in Auburn, Monument Square in Portland, and the Portland Transportation Center. Service will be provided from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Bidders may propose variations on the recommended route, schedule, and stops. While the focus is on workforce transportation, the service will be open for all trip purposes.

The Lewiston-Auburn to Portland Commuter Bus Implementation Study is available at https://www.maine.gov/mdot/transit/publications/.

The Request for Proposal is available here: https://www.maine.gov/mdot/cpo/rfps/. The deadline for proposals is February 26th.