AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Department of Transportation said it is awarding $1 million in state fiscal year 2027 money to nine transit operators for 11 projects, ranging from workforce shuttles to snow-clearing equipment at bus stops.

The department said up to $2 million had been available for the discretionary grants in earlier rounds. Because of department-wide budget constraints, $1.5 million was available at first, and $500,000 of that was set aside for priority public transportation projects in the Midcoast region and for the Lewiston-Auburn to Portland commuter bus service, leaving $1 million to award.

Ten agencies applied for 25 projects seeking $3.8 million in all, the department said. Projects were scored on how well they would increase access to transit, improve public information, remove barriers for new riders, serve underserved communities, upgrade infrastructure and support workers and employers.

"Despite the Department's financial constraints, MaineDOT is pleased to be able to make these funds available to support Maine's transit operators and the people who rely on the services they provide," Transportation Commissioner Dale Doughty said.

The largest awards went to the Regional Transportation Program, $180,000 for microtransit service, and the Aroostook Regional Transportation System, $174,230 to continue its Aroostook Workforce Connector, which takes riders to jobs across Aroostook County.

The Kennebec Valley Community Action Program in Waterville received $140,000 for trip-planning technology and $5,000 for automated fare payment. "Riders will be able to see where their vehicle is, book trips, and pay their fare from their phones," said Kirk Bellavance, the agency's senior director of transportation.

Other awards went to the Waldo Community Action Program, $100,000 for a hybrid or electric vehicle and charging equipment; Greater Portland Metro, $93,000 for snow-removal equipment at transit stops; Western Maine Transportation Services, $75,000 for workforce transportation and $14,000 for vehicle-tracking software; Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit, $80,165 for microtransit; Bangor Community Connector, $75,000 for driver training; and York County Community Action Corporation, $63,605 for workforce transportation.

This brief was drafted by AI from a public agency or political press release and published by The New England Signal. Why we use AI for stories like this one.