Maine Turnpike Authority - New service to be supported by the Federal Transit Administration, MaineDOT, Maine Turnpike Authority and Town of Scarborough

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA), MaineDOT, the Town of Scarborough and Greater Portland Metro (Metro) are proud to announce a new partnership that will bring enhanced public transit service to Scarborough. The initiative marks a significant step toward improving regional mobility, reducing traffic congestion and expanding sustainable transportation options in southern Maine. Once complete, Metro will provide a new fixed-route transit service between Scarborough and Portland centered along the U.S. Route 1 corridor. The project will be the first such project in Maine.

On Thursday, October 16, 2025 the Maine Turnpike Authority voted unanimously to provide joint funding with MaineDOT to extend public transit service in Scarborough. This measure complements Metro’s previously awarded $1.3 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding by the Portland Area Comprehensive Transit System (PACTS) to support the new service. These efforts, coupled with the Town of Scarborough’s commitment of local funding, will allow Metro to complete planning and launch new transit services that will connect Scarborough residents to medical facilities, shopping locations, regional employment centers, and other key destinations.

“This partnership is a model for how state, regional agencies and local governments can work together to improve transit access. We are grateful for our partners at MaineDOT, Maine Turnpike Authority, PACTS and the Town of Scarborough for their investment in public transit.” said Glenn Fenton, Executive Director of Greater Portland Metro. “We’re excited to serve the Scarborough community and give more people a reliable, affordable alternative to driving.”

"Widely available public transportation is essential as we work to manage growth responsibly in Scarborough as it helps ease traffic, serves our community, and supports our sustainability goals,” said Scarborough Town Manager Thomas Hall. “We have an eye toward improving traffic flow and safety, and recently completed a Town-wide Transportation Study to inform our priorities. Expanded public transportation is a critical component of our vision for Scarborough's traffic and transportation goals."

The Maine Turnpike Authority has approved a $3.5 million appropriation over five years to support this initiative. This partnership reinforces the MTA’s ongoing commitment to improving mobility across all modes of transportation in Maine.

“The Turnpike was built to serve Maine, and that means more than just cars and trucks,” said Andre Briere, Executive Director of the Maine Turnpike Authority. “This new service will facilitate more efficient use of the Turnpike for all. Supporting Metro’s efforts to connect communities and reduce congestion aligns with our mission to make travel in Maine safer, smarter, and more sustainable.”

These projects align directly with MaineDOT’s State Transit Plan recommendations to increase transit service, and to explore, pilot and implement programs to address the needs of underserved populations, as well as to leverage funding and partnerships to improve public transportation in the region. The expansion is part of MaineDOT’s goal to facilitate the integration of numerous transit services, expand transit networks, and create a micro-transit option aimed at mitigating the first and last mile challenge faced by many transit systems.

“This represents a new collaborative era between MaineDOT, the MTA, and our transportation partners in how we utilize joint funding to best manage the transportation network” said Dale Doughty, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “These projects are great example of how partnerships between agencies can deliver more efficient and connected transportation options for more Maine people.”
The new services are expected to operate seven days per week. Details of the route alignment, specific destinations and micro transit operations are still in development. Greater Portland Metro will evaluate public feedback, existing and potential development patterns, and underserved areas of the existing transit network to help determine the exact route and schedule.

“We’re thrilled to see transit expanding into new areas of the region," said Kristina Egan, Executive Director of the Greater Portland Council of Governments, which staffs the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS). "This new service aligns with our long-term vision to make public transportation easier to use with more frequent connections for riders.”

The next steps will include a public involvement process, coinciding with Metro’s reevaluation of routes in South Portland and will include public meetings at dates to be determined. A survey is also available online at www.gpmetro.org/scarborough.

Greater Portland Metro is southern Maine’s largest public transit provider, serving Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, Yarmouth, Scarborough, and Bath. Metro’s mission is to provide a public transportation experience that is frequent, fast, safe, and simple.