BIDDEFORD — Shuttlebus-Zoom will be increasing rates for the first time in six years, and will also be providing more streamlined service on its local and inter-city route.
Shuttlebus-ZOOM provides bus service in Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford to local destinations and to the Portland area.
Beginning July 1, rates for the local and University of New England routes will increase from $1.25 to $1.50, and rates for disabled and seniors will increase from 60 cents to 75 cents. Monthly passes will increase from $25 to $30 and senior and student monthly passes will increase from $20 to $25.
Rates for seasonal trolley, providing service to downtown Old Orchard Beach and area campgrounds, hotels and attractions have increased after 6 p.m. except on Thursday, when weekly fireworks are scheduled at Old Orchard Beach, from $1 to $2.
Shuttlebus-ZOOM Director Al Schutz said in a written statement the organization hadn’t increased its rates since 2011.
“With the current state of transportation, we reluctantly have to increase some of our heavily discounted fare programs,” he said. “We remain very competitive with other local transportation organizations, and will continue to contain costs to the best of our ability.”
With the rate increases come increased services on the Local and Portand Intercity lines.
Increased service with the Portland Intercity bus, which provides service to the Maine Mall and Portland, began May 1, with an additional bus leaving Old Orchard Beach Chamber of Commerce on the hour until 2 p.m. five days a week.
Beginning July 1, weekend service on the Portland Intercity bus and the local bus will duplicate weekday service. Currently, weekend service on the these two routes is more limited than weekdays.
“We are having consistent service seven days a week,” said Shuttlebus-ZOOM Mobility Manager Perian Carpenter, and riders on these two lines will only have to refer to one uniform schedule instead of a weekday versus a weekend.
The local and intercity lines also now run Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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