SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – On October 8, 2024 South Portland City Council voted unanimously to merge South Portland's city-run bus system into Greater Portland Transit District (Metro), effective on or around December 29, 2024. Metro will operate South Portland's bus routes, assume maintenance and compliance responsibilities, and fully integrate South Portland's routes into Metro's system.
The service will remain the same, although Metro will likely offer suggested route improvements in the next few years. Metro will also carry forward a project to improve access and accessibility to a number of bus stops in South Portland, for which the City has secured grant funding. South Portland is expected to save $1 million over the next five years from this merger. This is due to Metro’s assessment to South Portland being $100,000 to $170,000 less per year than what South Portland would otherwise have to budget, Metro paying South Portland over $252,000 up front to acquire equipment such as buses, and in avoided capital costs for which South Portland would otherwise be responsible.
“Merging the City’s bus service with Metro will strengthen public transit in our community while providing cost savings,” said Mayor Misha Pride. “It also ensures that our hardworking bus staff are in a good position as Metro employees.”
As part of the merger, Metro has agreed to hire all South Portland bus drivers, honor their seniority in terms of pay and benefits, and allow them to operate South Portland's bus routes if they prefer. All South Portland bus drivers will receive increased compensation as Metro employees. South Portland will seat four representatives on Metro's board, and will have direct input on any decisions affecting South Portland's service.
“We can confidently say this merger benefits all groups: riders, taxpayers, bus employees, and the region,” said City Manager Scott Morelli. “Riders can still expect the same quality services as before, with new possibilities for improvements. South Portland taxpayers will benefit from the savings. Our bus employees will retain their routes and earn more by being a Metro employee. And the region will benefit from a stronger, more unified regional transit provider.”
South Portland left Metro in 1983 and has operated its own bus system since. Rejoining Metro has potential for improved regional connections between South Portland and the Greater Portland region.
"South Portland joining Metro will provide a host of opportunities to make public transit work better for riders in our region, while preserving the current bus service in South Portland,” said Glenn Fenton, Metro Executive Director. “We are very happy to have South Portland rejoin the Greater Portland Transit District, and Metro's Board of Directors look forward to accepting their application for membership later this month."
The merger will be finalized if it is approved by Greater Portland Metro's Board of Directors, which is scheduled to meet and vote on October 24, 2024 at 4 PM.
###