Welcome to the Greater Portland Council of Governments

Regional Transit Coordination Study

From August 2005 to May 2007, the seven regional public transportation providers were joined by representatives from the private sector, Maine Turnpike Authority, Maine Department of Transportation, and elected and appointed municipal officials to assess the existing public transportation system. The Regional Transit Coordination Study Advisory Committee was staffed by GPCOG and SMRPC.  The purpose of the Committee was to identify opportunities to realize cost efficiencies, improve the quality and frequency of service, improve connectivity between communities, increase ridership, and explore the feasibility of regionalizing the seven providers into a transit authority or other cost-effective, streamlined structure.

The seven public transit agencies are:

Shuttlebus Tri-Town and Intercity Service and ZOOM Turnpike Express (Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach)
Casco Bay Island Transit District
Greater Portland Transit District (METRO)
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA) — Downeaster
Regional Transportation Program (RTP)
South PortlandBus Service
York County Community Action Corporation

Two public meetings were held to present the preliminary recommendations and listen to what customers - and potential customers - had to say.  The PACTS Policy Committee accepted the Regional Transit Coordination Study at their Annual Meeting in June 2007.

Click here for a pdf version of the Executive Summary

Click here for a pdf version of the Full Report