Springvale-Saco bus service pilot gets rolling
A new public bus service between Springvale and Saco is up and running under a pilot program developed by Southern Maine Health Care and York County Community Action Corp.
The new Southern Maine Connector connects four Southern Maine Health Care locations in the Sanford and Biddeford areas. It also offers connections to Sanford Transit at Nasson Health Care, SMHC Sanford Medical Center, Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit at SMHC Biddeford Medical Center and the Saco Transportation Center.
The service, which started Feb. 3, operates Mondays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The lack of affordable and accessible transportation has been identified as a barrier for the delivery of health care in York County, and SMHC and YCCAC came together and developed this option for our residents and patients," said Nate Howell, president of Southern Maine Health Care, in a news release.
Important for commuters — the Southern Maine Connector makes several stops along the route including Market Basket and Walmart in Biddeford.
Buses are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and charge affordable fares, according to the operators.
“Access to quality health care is vital to the residents of any community,” said Carter Friend, deputy director of the York County Community Action Corp.
He added: “The new bus route between Springvale and Saco, with stops at SMHC facilities along the way, will certainly reduce the transportation barrier that many in our local communities experience. We’re looking forward to the partnership with SMHC, and believe that the transportation initiative will be an investment that achieves positive results and delivers community impact."
The new transit option follows the expansion last year of bus service in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach. Statewide, there's also been growth in transit, with strong ridership on a new Presque Isle bus route and on METRO buses operated by the Greater Portland Transit District, where passengers topped 2.1 million in 2019.
Schedule and fare information about the new Southern Maine Connector is available online.
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