Editor,

I just heard someone talking about “Around the World in 80 Days.” I didn’t know if they were referring to the Jules Verne novel or the new Old Orchard Beach to Portland bus route.

On a more serious note, I’ve noticed that none of the coverage about Shuttlebus-Zoom’s recent route restructuring has mentioned the severely negative impact that restructuring is having on Old Orchard Beach. Yes, more streets in town are being serviced by the bus. That improvement has come at the cost of losing direct access to Biddeford and Portland.

This means that an OOB resident working at SMCC, Walmart or Market Basket now also has to take two buses which greatly adds to their commute time.

Many of our retirees travel to Biddeford on a regular basis to shop for essentials, to or see their physicians. Under the new routes, these trip can last up to several hours longer, and also come with the added inconvenience of having to transfer groceries between buses at the Amtrak Station.

If this isn’t enough, anyone in OOB who either works in Portland or needs to make a trip there for medical or other reasons, is now faced with travel times ranging from 90 minutes in the morning to two hours in the evening.

I would suggest both contacting Shuttlebus-Zoom at 282-5408, and talking to members of the Old Orchard Beach Town Council, in order to guarantee that your voice is heard.

Bob Cochran
Old Orchard Beach