New fares, fare system and funding for southern Maine transit
Three municipal transit systems in southern Maine have begun using a single, contactless fare system — to collect new, higher fares.
Passengers can now use a smartphone app to pay for rides aboard Greater Portland METRO, the South Portland Bus Service and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit. The fare collection system, DiriGo Touch Pass, also offers a reloadable fare card.
Unlike previous passes, which allowed rides for specific numbers of rides or days, the DirGo app and card work on a pay-as-you-go basis. The new system also caps fares per day and per month, so that passengers can ride free after paying a minimum number of fares in those time periods.
Old-fashioned cash continues to be accepted by the three transit providers.
The DiriGo system launched Oct. 1, the day new, common fares went into effect across all three. The regular fare for local bus service is now $2; on METRO buses, that represents an increase from $1.50. Express bus fare is $4, and riding the ZOOM bus between the Biddeford area and Portland costs $5. Half-price fares are available for seniors and other qualified passengers.
Fare increases had been approved last year and originally scheduled to begin in April. But the COVID-19 pandemic forced the transit providers to delay the change, while they scaled back service in response to the crisis.
The transit providers have since resumed full operations, although with new restrictions and safety precautions. For example, bus interiors are now outfitted with protective plastic shields, and all passengers are required to wear face coverings.
More money for transit
Biddeford Saco and Old Orchard Beach Transit has been awarded a total of $440,944 by the Federal Transit Administration to assist with operations and administration during the pandemic. The money comes through a second tranche of transit funding under the federal CARES Act.
“Public transit systems in Maine and throughout the country are facing financial pressures due to the coronavirus pandemic,” said U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in a news release Monday.
“As the chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I am delighted that this investment will assist the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach Transit Committee in improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of its transportation infrastructure.”
BSOOB Transit previously received over $600,000 in the first round of CARES funding.
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