If you’ve taken the bus in greater Portland recently you may have noticed some changes, including the addition of real time tracking by text or app from your smart phone. All bus stops in the METRO region are now outfitted with signs that provide their corresponding tracker ID numbers. Simply text that stop’s ID number to the transit tracker system and you’ll get a text message alerting you to its estimated arrival time, based on real-time tracking. The program launched in June, 2016 as a collaboration between the Greater Portland Council of Governments, Casco Bay Lines, South Portland Bus and the Portland METRO bus service to provide a seamless transit information product for the three separate agencies.
In addition to text tracking, you can also download smart phone apps such as transit app, Moovit and Google Transit which integrate the new transit tracking data and provide real time tracking through visual maps and alternate route planning.
For more information, and to access real time tracking, arrival times, trip planning, and mobile applications, visit smttracker.com.
Connecting Falmouth, Yarmouth and Freeport
2016 was a big year in public transit as it also brought the launch of the new METRO BREEZE bus connecting Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth and Freeport with service on weekdays and weekends. The buses are equipped with WiFi, USB ports, extra storage room and bike racks. Scheduling allows for easy connection with other METRO bus lines, the Amtrak Downeaster rail service, Casco Bay Ferry and the Portland JetPort. So it turns out, you really can get there from here.
