Greater Portland Metro – South Portland Bus Service: Merger

pdfMetro Press Release – October 24, 2024 pdfSouth Portland Press Release – October 24, 2024

On October 24, 2024, Greater Portland Metro’s Board of Directors voted to approve merging South Portland’s city-run bus system into Greater Portland Transit District (Metro).

Please check back for updates. (10.24.24)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is this merger taking place now?

In March, 2024, the City of South Portland asked Greater Portland Metro for short-term help managing the system while developing a merger proposal.

What are the benefits of a merger?

There are several potential benefits for South Portland Bus Service merging with Greater Portland Metro.

South Portland, Metro communities, and current member communities will save money as a result of the merger.
As a result of merging the systems, economies of scale can be a achieved. One system is more resilient to staffing challenges, maintenance issues, etc.

Merging systems improves public transit in the region.

When does the merger take effect?

The merger would take effect at the end of December. This timing is better for South Portland employees to ensure there are no gaps in insurance coverage, etc.

Riders may start seeing changes in the weeks leading up to the merger, such as Metro branding on buses and bus stops.

What changes will riders/communities see and when?

No immediate schedule changes are planned. Metro will operate current routes in South Portland for the foreseeable future. Changes passengers will notice include:

Metro will update the branding on buses and bus stop signs.
Customer service inquiries will be handled through Metro.*
South Portland routes will be incorporated in Metro’s schedule, website, maps, print brochures, etc.

What happens to bus drivers in South Portland?

All South Portland bus operators have offers to join Metro with their seniority honored and preference to operate South Portland routes. Bus operators in South Portland will receive salary increases as part of the merger.

Does GP Metro or South Portland save money from this merger?

Yes, all Metro member communities will benefit as more federal funding will be allocated to Metro to maintain and improve the transit system.

South Portland saves about $100k per year in costs and will have also have one time cost savings and benefits to staff workload. (South Portland staff can better answer the specifics regarding their savings).

What will change in South Portland?

  • Bus stop signs will change and buses serving South Portland will be Metro buses.
  • Municipal services/DPW building (Ross Lunt building) in South Portland will have more capacity for city operations. (South Portland staff can better answer specifics regarding other changes.)
  • How many cities and towns are part of Metro; how are they represented?
  • Greater Portland Metro member communities are: Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, Westbrook, and Yarmouth. Metro’s Board of Directors is made up of representatives appointed by each of its member municipalities. Following the Metro Board of Director’s vote to merge, South Portland will be a member community with four representatives on the board.

What will change at Metro after the merger?

  • South Portland will have four board members on the Metro Board of Directors.
  • Metro customer service will handle South Portland questions.

What are the future plans to improve and expand service?

Metro’s staff will meet with South Portland staff, board members, and the public to gather input and collect and assess data before making any recommendations to the Board.

Any improvements to South Portland routes would be part of Metro’s usual service improvement workflow, as funding comes available.

What about adding benches to bus stops?

Metro assesses bus stop amenities and makes improvements as warranted, within our budgetary constraints.

Pop-up benches has been a recent issue with South Portland bus stops. This issue does indicate some demand; however, benches in the city ROW can be an accessibility and/or safety concern.

Timeline

On October 8, 2024, the City of South Portland City Council voted unanimously to merge its city-run bus service with Greater Portland Metro. If approved by Metro’s Board of Directors, Metro would begin operation of South Portland’s routes beginning December 29, 2024.

The votes by the South Portland City Council and Metro’s Board of Directors follows a monthslong process of staff work; coordination with regional, state, and federal agencies, and City Council workshops.

March 2024
South Portland City Manager contacts Metro about managing South Portland operations while developing a merger proposal.

May 8, 2024
Metro Operations Manager, Tom Ridge begins working as South Portland’s Acting Bus Director.

May 20, 2024
Metro staff present a draft merger proposal and seek input the South Portland Transit Advisory Committee.

June 25, 2024
Metro staff present draft proposal for South Portland to join Metro at City Council Workshop. Councilors identify key aspects to the proposal that require more information.

July-August
Metro and South Portland staff work to address open issues to complete final merger proposal.

August 26, 2024
Metro staff present revised proposal to South Portland Transit Advisory Committee. The committee votes 3 to 2 to in favor of the merger.

September 10, 2024
Metro and South Portland staff present final proposal for South Portland to join Metro at City Council Workshop. General consensus among Council members in support of a merger.

October 8, 2024
South Portland City Council voted unanimously to merge South Portland Bus Service into Greater Portland Transit District Metro. The merger is effective December 29, 2024, pending a vote from the Greater Portland Metro Board of Directors on October 24, 2024.

October 24, 2024
Greater Portland Metro’s Board of Directors voted to approve merging South Portland’s city-run bus system into Greater Portland Transit District (Metro).

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