BRUNSWICK

Western Maine Transportation Services has added a Monday through Friday 4 p.m. run from Brunswick High School on Maquoit Road, taking students directly from the high school to downtown.

The bus stops first at the People Plus Teen Center on Union Street, then at Brunswick Station before that bus goes out of service for the day.

Student fare is $1 cash, but tickets have been donated to the high school office where students may pick them up for free.

To promote the new service, the first 50 students to ride the bus will also receive a free coupon to the Bohemian Coffee House, provided by owner Peter Robbins.

The high school had been without daily late bus service for more than 10 years, although a 3:15 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday school bus was added last year to bring students to general locations throughout town.

The addition of a later 4 p.m. route will allow more independence for students who want to stay after school for extra-curricular activities, relieving them of the need to find a ride home, or needing to bring a car to school, according to Western Maine Transportation. Those who do not live within walking distance of downtown may wait in coffee shops or the public library, which are more convenient central pick-up locations for many parents than the three-mile drive from downtown to the high school.

While the bus is intended to serve Brunswick High School, it is open to the general public for the standard fare of $1 per boarding. Exact change is required.

Call (207) 721-9600 for more information.