AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation announced today that it has awarded $2 million in state funds for discretionary transit projects.

The awards to transit providers throughout the state further the Maine">https://uploads.mainedotpima.com/2b79b3ac-8713-4a67-97ca-17c713b15495.pdf">Maine State Transit Plan's strategies of increasing service, improving information, removing barriers, addressing the needs of underserved populations in rural Maine, improving transit facilities, addressing labor shortages, transitioning to more environmentally-friendly vehicles, and improving Maine's transit fleet. Funds were awarded to ten agencies: 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. Awards include:

• $467,327 to the Bangor Community Connector for two hybrid or electric vehicles ($145,000) and driver training ($322,327).
• $424,835 to Western Maine Transportation Services for upgraded vehicle-tracking technology ($18,000), two vehicles ($257,000), pilot service in Oxford Hills ($31,000), pilot service in Farmington ($31,500), pilot service between Oxford Hills and Lewiston/Auburn ($66,000), and other improvements.
• $261,255 to support the merger of the Greater Portland Transit District and the South Portland Bus Service.
• $98,000 to Regional Transportation Program for a microtransit pilot project in Standish and Gorham.

"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."

"These investments allow Maine public transit operators to provide safe, dependable, and efficient transit services to residents and visitors across the State of Maine," said Sandy Buchanan, Executive Director of Western Maine Transportation Services. "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."

Two million dollars of the total available state funding for FY2025 was available to support the broad initiatives of the 2023">https://uploads.mainedotpima.com/2b79b3ac-8713-4a67-97ca-17c713b15495.pdf">2023 Maine State Transit Plan, the 2023">https://www.maine.gov/mdot/transit/docs/lcp/2024/Maine%20Locally%20Coordinated%20Plan%20November%202023.pdf">2023 Locally Coordinated Plan, and other MaineDOT planning and policy priorities. The funds were distributed through a competitive application process.