| Public transportation in Maine | |
|---|---|
.png) A map of the population density of Maine's sixteen counties (2020) | |
| Overview | |
| Transit type | Air, rail, road, water |
Public transportation in Maine is available for all four main modes of transport—air, bus, ferry and rail—assisting residents and visitors to travel around much of Maine's 31,000 square miles (80,000 km2).
The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) has broken down the state's sixteen counties into eight regions:[1]
- Aroostook County (including parts of Washington County and Patten in Penobscot County)
- Hancock County (including Isle au Haut in Knox County and Washington County, excluding Danforth)
- Penobscot County (excluding Patten) and Piscataquis County
- Kennebec County and Somerset County
- Knox County (excluding Isle au Haut), Lincoln County, Sagadahoc County and Waldo County (plus Brunswick and Harpswell in Cumberland County)
- Cumberland County (excluding Brunswick and Harpswell)
- Androscoggin County, Franklin County and Oxford County (excluding Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, Lovell, Porter, Stoneham, Stow and Sweden)
- York County (and Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Hiram, Lovell, Porter, Stoneham, Stow and Sweden in Oxford County)
Each of the eight regions has one designated regional transportation provider for local residents to travel at no (or a low) cost.[2] These include Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS)[3] and Cumberland County Regional Transportation Program (RTP).[4]
Of the four New England states, Maine (as of 2021) receives the least amount of federal funding for its operational needs. In 2019, for example, it was given $2.3 million, 18% of its operating expenses.[2] In early 2023, it was announced that southern Maine would receive $8 million in American Rescue Plan funds to increase bus-service frequency and improve accessibility at bus stops.[5] In late 2023, it was reported that Maine could receive, over five years, around $250 million under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve public transportation.[6]
As of 2023, twelve operators provide bus and coach services in Maine, the largest being Greater Portland Metro. Concord Coach Lines, Greyhound and Cyr Bus Line offer inter-city connections.
Maine is home to six commercial airports: Portland International Jetport, Bangor International, Knox County Regional, Presque Isle International, Hancock County–Bar Harbor and Augusta State.[7]
Ferry routes are prevalent between downtown Portland and the main islands of Casco Bay, such as Peaks Island, via the fleet of Casco Bay Lines. Passage to Canada is available on The Cat, which runs between Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor. The Maine State Ferry Service serves (from Rockland) Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus Isle; (from Lincolnville) Isleboro; and (from Bass Harbor) Swan's Island and Frenchboro.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Maine is ranked 19th in public transit usage and 43rd in transportation infrastructure.[8]
- ^ "Public Transit Options | MaineDOT". www.maine.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ a b Rural Public Transportation and Maine: Review of State Best Practices – University of Maine, June 2021
- ^ "Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc". Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ "RTP Rides | RTP provides low-cost transportation to the elderly, social service agency clients, the economically disadvantaged and persons with disabilities throughout Cumberland County". Retrieved 2023-09-17.
- ^ Maine transit agencies to invest millions to improve public transportation, retrieved 2023-10-17
- ^ Hilton, AnnMarie (2023-10-11). "Maine needs to clean up transportation emissions, but isn't investing in public transit • Rhode Island Current". Rhode Island Current. Retrieved 2024-05-16.
- ^ FAA Airport Form 5010 for AUG PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective April 26, 2018
- ^ "Overview of Maine" – U.S. News