Officials from the Greater Portland Transit District joined with representatives of the University of Southern Maine, city of Portland, town of Gorham, city of Westbrook and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to introduce a new service that will benefit students and other public transit riders.
One of the key initiatives of Metro’s ambitious Transit West Project, announced last year, is the Husky Line, a distinctively-branded bus route featuring more frequent connections for students and professionals alike. The new line introduces transit service to the Town of Gorham while connecting the USM campuses in Gorham and Portland.
It will also increase the level of transit service along the William Clark Drive/Main Street corridor in Westbrook and the Brighton Avenue corridor in Portland.
Metro’s General Manager, Greg Jordan, stated, “High quality and innovative public transit is in demand in the greater Portland region and especially in the urban core. Metro’s Transit West Project will improve mobility, increase access to affordable transportation and help spur our region’s economic competitiveness.”
Jordan added, “Along with real-time arrival mobile apps, Wi-Fi and USB ports on buses and an upcoming project to deploy smart fare payment, Metro’s Transit West Project provides the on-ramp to a new mobility paradigm that will bring more technology innovations and new ways of transport.”
The Husky Line will parallel and relieve overcrowding on Metro’s Route 4, which today provides transit service between and within Westbrook and Portland. With the Husky Line and a restructured Route 4 operating in tandem, daytime transit service between Westbrook and Portland will double from one bus every 30 minutes to one bus every 15 minutes.
“As a community-engaged university, USM is delighted that the Husky Line will not only benefit our students, but also people living in Gorham, Westbrook and other surrounding towns. This is a game changer for our university and for the entire region,” said USM’s President Glenn Cummings.
"The Husky Line will provide Gorham residents with a convenient alternative for travel between Gorham, Westbrook and Portland. The service will be especially important for our seniors and youth who have limited transportation options and will enhance our relationship with USM and our neighboring communities,” said Marla Stelk, Gorham city councilor.
Metro offered free rides on the Husky Line from Monday, August 27 through Wednesday, August 29.
Metro has also recently launched Route 3 crosstown service, a local route connecting many areas of Westbrook with South Portland, including the Anthem Office Park, Target Shopping Plaza and Husson University/County Road Industrial Park, Portland/Riverton Route 3 also links to Route 5, connecting Westbrook passengers to the Portland Jetport, UNUM, Hadlock Field, Maine Medical Center and downtown Portland without transferring.
Free rides on the new Route 3 were offered from Sunday, August 26 through Wednesday, August 29.
