BAT Community Connector
 |
|
|---|---|
 A BAT Community Connector bus rolls through the University of Maine campus. |
|
| Slogan | We'll Take You Places. |
| Parent | City of Bangor |
| Founded | December, 1972 |
| Headquarters | 481 Maine Avenue |
| Locale | Bangor, Maine |
| Service area | Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Maine |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit |
| Hubs | Pickering Square Parking Garage |
| Fleet | 23 |
| Daily ridership | 2090 |
| Fuel type | Bio-Diesel |
| Chief executive | Joe McNeil, Superindendant |
| Web site | Public Transit |
BAT Community Connector is a bus system connecting Bangor, Maine, with outlying towns, including Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Brewer, and Hampden. The system is known as The BAT.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
While the BAT is colloquially known as the "Bangor Area Transit", "BAT" in fact does not mean that or anything else officially despite it implying an acronym by being in all capital letters. The managers of the system did not want to identify it with any one city or town.[1] Despite this, "Bangor Area Transit" caught on and many websites referring to the attractions of Bangor, Maine and how to get to them often refer to this public transportation system by the incorrect name.
The buses, are distinguished by their bright red color, decorated with a large stylized bat on their exteriors. The BAT system is structured to make it easy for riders to reach points of interest in the Bangor area. In 2003, the Mall Hopper line was added to facilitate easy connections between the Airport Mall, the Bangor Mall, and the Broadway Shopping Center. The Mall Hopper is also the only line not to go through the Bangor Depot.
Several of the newer buses offer plush seats and air-conditioning, as well as low floors, designed to make it easier for wheelchair passengers to board the bus without having to use a wheelchair lift. All buses are ADA compliant and are wheelchair ready.
Riders are allowed to get on and off at almost any intersection along the road, without having to use designated bus stops. There are a few exceptions where passenger safety is an issue.
[edit] Fleet
BAT maintains various makes and models.
| Year | Make/Model | Quantity | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Orion V | 3 | |
| 1998 | Thomas TL960 | 3 | |
| 2001 | Dennis SLF200 | 1 | |
| 2002 | Orion V | 5 | Ex-Bee-Line System buses were received in 2012. [2] |
| 2003 | Dennis SLF200 | 6 | Only 2 buses are in service. |
| 2006 | NABI Bluebird Ultra LF | 1 | |
| 2007 | Champion Bus Incorporated Defender midi-bus | 2 | |
| 2009 | Goshen Coach on Chevrolet Chassis | 1 | |
| 2010 | Gillig Low Floor | 5 |
This list is incomplete.
[edit] Bus service
[edit] Operations
The BAT operates Monday through Friday from 5:45 am to 7:05 pm, and Saturday from 6:15 am to 7:05 pm. All buses (except Mall Hopper and Black Bear Express) connect at the Bangor Depot at either 15 or 45 past each hour. The first trip to operate is Old Town 1 which leaves UMO at 5:45 am. The first trip for most other routes is 6:15 or 6:45 am at the Depot. The final trips to depart the Depot are at 5:15 and 5:45 pm (see above for particular route). Saturday service is slightly reduced, only one Old Town route operates, making for a two hour headway, no Hampden service is offered, and Center St. shares a bus with Hammond St. making for a 60 minute headway for both routes.
[edit] Routes
- Brewer North serves North Main St., No. Brewer Shopping Center, Twin City Plaza, Brewer Shopping Center, Walmart, and Marden's.
- Brewer South serves South Main St., Parkway South, Brewer Shopping Center, Walmart, and Marden's.
- Capehart serves Union St., Ohio St., two medical plazas, Bangor International Airport, Airport Mall, and Capehart.
- Center Street serves Bangor Public Library, Center Street, St. Joseph Hospital and the Broadway Shopping Center. Shares a bus with Hammond Street Route on Saturdays.
- Hammond Street serves Union Street, University College Of Bangor, the Fairmount Area, and the Buck St./Third Street Neighborhood. Shares a bus with Center Street Route on Saturdays.
- Hampden serves Shaw's on Main St., Beal College, Main Road No. in Hampden, Hannaford Supermarket, and Hampden Academy. This is the only route that does not operate on Saturdays.
- The Mall Hopper line was added in the late 2000s and serves the Airport Mall, Husson University, Broadway Shopping Center, and the Bangor Mall. The Mall Hopper line is one of the two bus lines that does not have a terminus in Pickering Square.
- Mount Hope serves much of Bangor's East Side along Mt. Hope Ave., EMCC, Sam's Club by request, Bangor Mall, and Target.
- Old Town is a two hour trip that serves State St., Eastern Maine Medical Center, parts of Veazie, parts of Orono, the University Of Maine, Downtown Old Town, Old Town Plaza, University Mall, and College Avenue.
- Stillwater serves John Bapst Memorial High School, Broadway Park Area, Acadia Hospital, Bangor Mall, and Walmart.
- Black Bear Express[4] Began operating in September 2009. Serves as a shuttle between the University of Maine campus and downtown Orono. This route does not serve Pickering Square. Funding for this bus comes from BAT funds and UM; there is no charge to ride this route. Monday through Friday, this bus operates from 6:55am until 9:55pm, Saturdays from 11:55am until 9:55pm.
[edit] Fares
Fares are as follows:
-Monthly Pass (unlimited trips) $45, $20 for those 17 and under
-Five Ride Ticket $5 ($1.00 per ride)
-Regular Fare $1.25
-Reduced Fare (Seniors, Students) $.60
-MaineCard Holders (UMaine Students and Faculty) FREE
-Black Bear Express FREE
Transfers are free, valid for next departing trip of your choice, not valid for return trips.
[edit] Special Promotions
FREE FARE FRIDAYS- Offered first in 2007 in conjunction with the State of Maine and several other public transit services across the state. Held: December 2007, July, 2008, December, 2008
COMMUTE ANOTHER WAY DAY- Held once a year in May to encourage people to use public transit, car pool, or bike to work. Fare is free on Commute Another Way Day.
AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL- Held at the end of August each year, BAT provides shuttle service from the event along the waterfront to a parking area at Bass Park.
[edit] References
- ^ "Bangor unveils new bus system" Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Me. Apr 25, 2002. pg. 2 4 Edition by Jeff Tuttle.
- ^ Community Buses Roll Into Maine
- ^ http://www.wlbz2.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=108676
- ^ http://bangormaine.gov/cs_publichomepage.php
