New BREEZ buses (4.12.23)
New BREEZ buses (4.12.23)
April 12, 2023
Metro News
Celebrate Earth Day Weekend with FREE RIDES on the BREEZ
(Portland, Maine) – METRO’s four newest vehicles will soon be rolling down I-295 on the METRO BREEZ express route, which provides transportation between Portland, Yarmouth, Freeport, and Brunswick. The new buses, featuring updated BREEZ branding, are scheduled to launch on Earth Day weekend. To celebrate the addition of these new vehicles to the fleet – all rides on the METRO BREEZ will be FREE on Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22.
In March of 2022, METRO was awarded $1.9 million in federal funding for 85% of the cost to replace and upgrade the four smaller buses, which had serviced the BREEZ route since it started and reached the end of their useful life. METRO BREEZ express service was launched in 2016 with service to Yarmouth and Freeport. Service to Brunswick was added in 2017. The three towns joined Greater Portland Transit District in 2019.
The new buses are 35-feet long, with room for more passengers, and feature front-facing seats with high backs and padding for a more comfortable ride. Each seat is equipped with USB ports for charging of portable devices
Greater utilization of public transportation over personal vehicle use is one of the best ways to reduce emissions and help the environment. The launch of these new, larger buses coincides with the message of Earth Day, an annual event held on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally. In addition to launching the new buses and providing free rides on the BREEZ express route, Greater Portland METRO staff is also planning to take part in Earth Day events in Brunswick (Bowdoin on 4/21) and Portland (Payson Park on 4/22).
Greater Portland METRO provides bus service between Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, and Yarmouth with connections to Casco Bay Ferry, Amtrak Downeaster, Portland Jetport, and regional bus services.