AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation has selected a contractor for a pilot program to provide commuter bus service between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn. RTW Management, Inc. a transportation services provider based in Salt Lake City was the preferred bidder on a request for proposals issued by MaineDOT in January. The contract amount is $2.8 million. Service is expected to begin in early July.

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. 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 include several runs throughout the day 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. MaineDOT will work with RTW to identify any 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/.