AUGUSTA - "The LAP" - the Maine Department of Transportation's new commuter bus service between Lewiston/Auburn and Portland - will begin serving customers on Monday, July 22nd.

Service will include several runs throughout the day from 4:30 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday and from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. While the focus is on workforce transportation, the service will be open for all trip purposes. There will be six stops on the route:

• 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.

To see detailed scheduling information and buy tickets, download the Token Transit app. After selecting "Buy Passes," search for "The LAP." Drivers can also accept cash payments in exact amounts. The one-way fare is eight dollars.

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. This program will operate for at least two years.

The contractor on this project is RTW Management, Inc. of Salt Lake City. The contract amount is $2.8 million.