ShuttleBus-ZOOM has changed its bus routes. FILE PHOTO
SACO — ShuttleBus-ZOOM has introduced a new bus schedule with enhanced routes and expanded local service, however, some commuters from Old Orchard Beach say it has added time to their commutes.
ShuttleBus-ZOOM provides daily bus service between Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough, and Portland, and has an annual ridership of about 355,000.
On Aug. 1, bus officials rolled out a new local bus route system called The Pulse. Under the old system, buses started their routes from the maintenance garage and administration building at 13 Pomerleau St. in Biddeford. Under The Pulse, all buses originate from the Saco train station, a more visible location in the community, and Shuttle Bus staff are on hand during business hours at the train station.
Under The Pulse system, the train station is a central hub, with all routes ending and beginning their 75 minute routes there. The new system expands the coverage area of the local bus service.
The Pulse is the first major change to the system in many years, said ShuttleBus-ZOOM Director Tony Scavuzzo. Prior to the launch, ShuttleBus held public meetings to get feedback from riders.
Scavuzzo said staff were stationed at the train station on launch day and were pleasantly surprised to hear the high level of awareness riders had regarding the new route implementation.
The new schedule is also less stressful for drivers, who no longer feel rushed to stay on schedule, and allows them suitable break times during their shift, said Scavuzzo.
ShuttleBus staff say they’ve heard positive feedback from those regarding the expanded service area. However, there have been some outspoken riders from Old Orchard Beach who have stated on the ShuttleBus Facebook page that the Pulse System has added more time to their bus commute.
One Facebook user commented that they had to go south first in order to go north and the system should have buses going in circular routes, and not a “hub and spoke” style system.
Bob Cochran, an Old Orchard Beach resident and a long-time bus user, said while the bus is now servicing more area, Old Orchard Beach residents have lost direct access to Portland and Biddeford.
Cochran said in a phone interview that he used to use the bus to get to work in the Maine Mall area because it was convenient, but that’s s no longer the case.
He said it used to take him 35 minutes to get to work on the bus, but now it takes him over an hour, and because of the bus schedule he must arrive one hour and 10 minutes before his job begins in the morning.
“You might as well board the Downeaster and get a job in Boston,” said Cochran.
Cochran said he has a neighbor who uses the bus to go shopping at Market Basket in Biddeford who now has to tote their groceries along as they transfer buses in Saco.
According to Cochran, a pulse system works well if the center of the pulse is a primary destination, but many people from Old Orchard Beach who use the bus to get to work or go to the doctor are not going to the train station area.
Cochran, who attended one of the public hearings for the new service, said he feels like the concerns of he and his fellow Old Orchard Beach commuters were not addressed.
Scavuzzo said that during the public hearing process in May, ShuttleBus-ZOOM staff fielded concerns from Old Orchard Beach riders that the proposed schedule would not have gotten some people to work on time in Portland.
“From this, we rethought our entire schedule to accommodate these loyal and important customers before any schedule finalization or launch occurred,” said Scavuzzo.
“While some may be affected by longer commute times, it is important to recognize that other customers are able to use our service for the first time that were previously unable to due to schedule or service shortcomings,” said Scavuzzo. “We will iterate from here, if needed, to arrive at a state that is optimal from both service and business standpoints.”
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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