French
DeutschBiddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit
 | |
 A route 60 bus at The Maine Mall in 2024 | |
| Headquarters | 13 Pomerleau Street, Biddeford, Maine |
|---|---|
| Service area | York County, Cumberland County, Maine |
| Service type | Bus service |
| Routes | 8 Year Round 3 Seasonal |
| Hubs | Saco Transportation Center |
| Annual ridership | 258,124 (fiscal year 2023) |
| Chief executive | Chad Heid |
| Website | bsoobtransit |
Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (or BSOOB) is the primary public transportation provider in the communities of Southern Maine in York County. The services encompass fixed bus routes in Biddeford, Saco, Scarborough and Old Orchard Beach, as well as an express commuter bus service operating between Biddeford-Saco and Portland.[1] BSOOB Transit also operates a seasonal trolley to meet the demand of tourists. The central transportation hub, the Saco Transportation Center, inaugurated in 2019, serves as a pivotal point where the year-round services connect for customer transfers. At the Saco Transportation Center, the public can also access Amtrak's Downeaster service, YCCAC connections, and other private taxi services.
Routes[edit]
| Route | Terminal | Major streets/routing | Major stops |
| 50 Orange / Biddeford Crossing | Saco Transportation Center | Main St to Alfred St to Biddeford Spur to Elm St | Biddeford Hannaford, Biddeford YMCA, Barra Rd medical offices, Southern Maine Health Center, Biddeford Crossing, Biddeford Walmart |
| 51 Black / Biddeford Crossing | Saco Transportation Center | Main St to Elm St to Alfred St to Biddeford Spur to Alfred St | Biddeford Hannaford, YMCA, Barra Rd medical offices, Southern Maine Health Center, Biddeford Crossing, Walmart |
| 52 White / Saco Industrial Park - OOB | Saco Transportation Center | Main St to North St to Industrial Park Rd to Spring Hill Rd to Rte. 1 to Ocean Park Rd to Saco Ave | Shaw's, Funtown, Jimmy the Greeks, Saco Ave Walgreens, Cascade Plaza |
| 53 Blue / OOB – Saco Industrial Park | Saco Transportation Center | Main St to Scamman St to Ocean Park Rd to Temple Ave to West Grand Ave to Cascade Rd to Saco Ave to Rte. 1 to Spring Hill Rd to Industrial Park Rd to Spring St | Shaw's, The Pines, OOB Chamber, Cascade Plaza, Jimmy the Greeks, Funtown Splashtown, |
| 54 Silver Line - Downtown Circulator | Saco Transportation Center | Main St, Pool St, Cutts Ave, University of New England | North Dam Mill, UNE Alfond Forum, UNE Campus Center, Main & Lincoln, Lincoln & Pearl, Cutts Ave, Saco Main St |
| 60 Green / Saco-Old Orchard-Scarborough-Portland | Saco Transportation Center | Main St, Ocean Park Rd, Saco Ave, Cascade Rd, Blue Star Memorial Hwy, Campus Dr, Maine Turnpike, Philbrooke Ave, Western Ave, I-295, Congress St, Franklin St | Saco Ave Walgreens, Ready Seafood, Enterprise Dr, 200 Route 1 Cheese Iron, 100 Campus Dr, Maine Mall, Portland City Hall, St John St, St John St, Maine Mall, 100 Campus Dr, 213 Route 1 Pat's Pizza, Enterprise Dr, Ready Seafood, School St & Saco Ave |
| 70 Zoom Express | Exit 32 Park & Ride/Saco Transportation Center | Gold Star Memorial Hwy, I-295, Congress St, Elm St, Preble St Ext | Exit 36 Park & Ride, Mercy at The Fore, MMC Garage, Bramhall & Congress, High & Congress, Monument Square, Bedford & Forest |
| 71 Biddeford/Kennebunk/Sanford | Union & Alfred | Alfred St, Elm St, Portland Rd, Fletcher St, Alfred Rd, Mill St Webber Hill Rd, Kennebunk Rd, Main St, Elm/School St | Industrial Park, Shoppers Village, Independence Dr, Sanford Walmart, Elm & School St |
Governance[edit]
BSOOB Transit is a Transit Committee formed in 1972 between the communities of Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach. The Committee consists of three representatives from each of the owner communities. The Committee meets on a regular schedule to provide guidance and direction to Transit Staff.
Fares and DiriGo System[edit]
BSOOB Transit, along with Greater Portland Metro and the South Portland Bus Service, participates in a regional fare collection system known as DiriGo Pass. This system uses the UMO Pass platform developed by Cubic. Passengers are able to load funds onto their account and pay fares using a smartcard or the UMO mobile app. Standard fares are $2 for all local services, and $5 for the #70 Zoom Express service. Passengers may transfer for free within 90 minutes if using the mobile app or smartcard. If transferring to the #70 Zoom Express, passengers pay the difference in fare. This program also allows for customers to take advantage of a fare capping system. The daily fare is capped at $6 for local fares or $15 for the #70 Zoom Express, after reaching that amount in a calendar day, no more fares will be charged to the account. Fares are also capped at $60 in a calendar month for local fares, and $150 for #70 Zoom Express fares. Reduced fare is half of the normal fare, and the monthly and daily caps are half of the standard caps. Reduced fares are applicable for persons with disabilities, anyone over 65, veterans, youth ages 6–18, and Medicare card holders. Cash continues to be accepted; however, no free transfers are available.
Fleet[edit]
Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit owns a fleet of 21 revenue vehicles, including 8 Hometown trolley buses that operate seasonally in and around Old Orchard Beach.
| Year | Manufacturer | Model | Agency ID | Type |
| 2004 | New Flyer | D-35LF Transit | 24, 28 | Standard Transit Low Floor |
| 2008 | Gillig | BRT | 861 | Standard Transit Low Floor |
| 2009 | Gillig | Low Floor (Hybrid) | 6623 6625 (Hybrid) | Standard Transit Low Floor |
| 2010 | El Dorado | TK | 26, 29 | Standard Transit |
| 2010 | Gillig | Low Floor Hybrid | 2091 | Standard Transit Low Floor |
| 2015 | MCI | D4500 | 3659 | Commuter Coach |
| 2021 | Hometown | Main Street | 2159, 2161, 2162, 2163, 2164, 2165, 2166, 2671 | Trolley Bus |
| 2021 | Prevost | X3-45 | 7752, 7753 | Commuter Coach |
| 2022 | Proterra | ZX5 | 0554, 0555 | Batter Electric Low Floor |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "BSOOB Transit unveils customer information enhancements". sacobaynews.com. Retrieved 2024-03-04.