Getting around in Maine typically involves an automobile, but lots of Mainers are not licensed to drive, do not own a car, or prefer a more sustainable option. Local buses in Brunswick and Bath meet this demand for people who live or work in these towns.

In Brunswick, the Link runs 11 round-trip buses during working hours Monday through Friday. Free of charge until at least March , 2026, it has 28 stops in a service area stretching from the southwestern part of town to Mid Coast Hospital. Coverage is particularly strong in the central Brunswick, Landing, and Cook’s Corner areas.

The Link’s Brunswick Train Station stop allows riders to connect with regional buses (the subject of our next column), including the Bath-Lewiston Blue Line, Portland BREEZ and Concord Coach Lines, as well as the Downeaster train to Boston.

Riders of the Link will soon benefit from brand new buses, and future development of the route is under discussion between Brunswick and the line’s operator, Western Maine Transportation Services (WMTS). Suggestions for additional service are welcome, so be sure to share your thoughts with WMTS or a Brunswick town councilor. For information about the route, accessibility and bicycle transport, see tinyurl.com/ms8yw2jd (with a map) and tinyurl.com/5n8423k7.

Bath CityBus operates all day Monday through Friday, with one loop serving Bath north of Route 1 and another covering the south side of town. The $1 fare is payable in exact cash or via the user-friendly Token Transit app, while all-day or 12-ride passes reduce the cost per ride. Bath CityBus allows access to the same regional bus lines as the Brunswick Link, although it shares a stop only with the Blue Line (City Hall/Front Street).

Among special features of Bath CityBus are two daily runs to Mid Coast Hospital if requested in advance; shuttle service for first-shift employees at BIW; and a “flex” arrangement enabling riders to flag down a bus anywhere along its route, provided conditions are safe. See tinyurl.com/2x6hza5p for details about routes (including maps), accessibility, and bringing a bicycle.

Buses are increasingly popular with Mainers who need or prefer public transportation. If you live or work in Brunswick or Bath, you too can get around without a car.

David Conwell belongs to the nationwide advocacy organization Citizens’ Climate Lobby and is a former member of Brunswick’s Sustainability Committee.