Transportation & Land Use

Transit Planning

Program Description

GPCOG is the federally designated transit planning agency in Cumberland County. Each year, GPCOG receives federal funds to develop transit plans, passenger and freight surveys, feasibility studies and provide staff support to public and private transportation operators. Projects include the Portland Explorer, the Bus Rapid Transit/Light Rail Transit Study, Maine Clean Communities (MC2), Maine Mall Transit Center and Transportation Information Display Systems (TIDS).

Funding
Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) with matching funds from transit operators, businesses and GPCOG.

Staffing
Staffing is provided by David Willauer and Steven Linnell with assistance from other GPCOG and PACTS Staff.

PACTS Transit Committee
GPCOG provides staff support to the PACTS Transit Committee which was formed in June 2004. The purpose of this Committee is to advise the PACTS Policy Committee on strategic public passenger transportation issues, and to recommend allocations for FTA Urban Formula and Public Transportation Set-aside Funds.

Click here for a listing of the GPCOG FY 2006-2007 Transit Planning Activities and Tasks.

Click here to go to the PACTS web site. This site is separate from the GPCOG site.

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Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Study
The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of implementing bus rapid transit along commuter corridors and light rail transit along existing railroads and rail rights of way in Greater Portland.

The study is a continuation of corridor transit planning by GPCOG and SMRPC that formed the basis for the ZOOM Turnpike Express Bus service and the RTP BIW Shuttle. A BRT/LRT Advisory Committee met from October 2003 to October 2004 and the Final Report was completed in December 2004.

Click here for the BRT/LRT Full Report.

Click here for the BRT/LRT ExecutiveSummary

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Transportation Information Display Systems (TIDS)
TIDS is a partnership between the City of Portland, GPCOG and area transportation providers to display traveler information to the public. The program began with the development of a surface transportation web site "www.transportme.org" that lists all transportation schedules by provider. This information is now being displayed at key transportation terminals and participating hotels through the use of computer monitors or plasma displays. Each terminal can display the arrivals and departures of ferries, buses, planes and trains. Click here to learn more.

Maine Clean Communities MC2 Program
Maine Clean Communities is a locally based government/industry partnership, coordinated by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and administered by GPCOG. The purpose of the program is to expand the use of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel and to promote vehicle technologies that reduce petroleum use. The Maine Clean Communities Coalition is a program of GPCOG. Click here to learn more.


Intelligent Transportation Systems
The federal government supports initiatives that use computers and communications technology to promote transportation. ITS projects include the use of automatic vehicle location (AVL), variable message signs (VMS) and traffic signal pre-emption for transit and emergency vehicles. GPCOG has completed numerous ITS planning documents in conjunction with area transportation providers, MaineDOT, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and the Maine Turnpike Authority. These documents include the Greater Portland ITS Early Deployment Plan (1998), ITS Architecture (2000) and, most recently, ITS Project Architecture for Transportation Information Display Systems (TIDS). In cooperation with the City of Portland, GPCOG has deployed five 42" plasma monitors for the purposes of displaying airline, bus, rail and ferry arrivals and departures at transportation terminals and select hotels.

Click here for the ITS Architecture Report. ( Note: This file is 4.7 MG and may take a few minutes to download.)

Maine Mall Transit Center Implementation
GPCOG continues to promote the development of a Maine Mall Transportation Center with area transit agencies, private operators and municipal officials. The Maine Mall designated a transit bus stop outside JC Penney, built an awning to protect bus patrons from inclement weather, and built a curbside bus pull-out to accommodate two 40-foot buses. GPCOG is working with the Maine Mall to install two large monitors to display bus arrival and departure times. Other project components include more promotion of bus services, bus stop signage and the distribution of route maps.

Downtown Transportation Center (DTC)
The METRO downtown terminal (Pulse) has been redesigned to better serve transit patrons. The Pulse is the location at which most METRO routes and several other transit services converge and is the best place to transfer from route to route. GPCOG worked with the City of Portland and METRO to plan an indoor waiting area, more outside shelter and the possibility of partnering with a local business such as a coffee shop. The Downtown Transportation Center opened on June 13th.

ADA Paratransit Advisory Committee
GPCOG provides technical assistance to the Regional Transportation Program, Inc. (RTP) with the ADAPT Committee. This Committee was formed in 1994 following the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The Cities of Portland, South Portland and Westbrook are required under the ADA to provide complimentary paratransit bus service to eligible persons living within three-fourths of a mile of a fixed route bus system. This Committee meets quarterly to review program ridership, application procedures and compliance issues.



Resources & Useful Links

Transit Planning Links

www.transportme.org General Portland Transportation web site

PACTS 2025 Regional Transportation Plan - Destination Tomorrow
Click here to go to the PACTS download library.

Downloadable files:

Click here for Regional Transit Coordination Study Full Report

Click here for Regional Transit Coordination Study Executive Summary

Click here for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) Full Report.

Click here for the BRT/LRT ExecutiveSummary

METRO Passenger On/Off Survey 2005
Click here for PDF

METRO Passenger On/Off Survey (December 02)
Click here for PDF

South Portland Bus Service Passenger On/Off Survey (2005)
Click here for PDF

South Portland Bus Service Passenger On/Off Survey (2003)
Click here for PDF

South Portland Bus Service Passenger On/Off Survey
(December 2002)
Click here for PDF