Editor:

[In response to “Thrown under the bus” by Ward Peck in the April 4 Gazette]

I’m really glad you tried public transit but regret that your first experience wasn’t all that you hoped it would be.  Although a public bus system might not offer as flexible a service as a taxi or private vehicle, the ShuttleBus and ZOOM Turnpike Express schedules do include connections that  many commuters find convenient for a Portland  to  Biddeford commute.  Pre-trip planning is really helpful in making that courageous first attempt to try public transit.  Once you’ve figured it out, it can really work for you!    

Referring to the example in your article, if you had left your home just a little earlier, you could have caught a 7 a.m. ZOOM bus on Congress Street, arrived at the Biddeford Park and Ride Lot at 7:35 a.m. and connected to the ShuttleBus Local. This schedule would have brought you to within a short walk of your office by 8 a.m. The results are similar if you left Portland at 6:30 a.m. 

The ShuttleBus is planning to increase the number of signs along our routes, update our schedules and maps and add other system enhancements. We recently partnered with other local transit providers on a regional coordination plan and a route design study.  

With limited resources, ShuttleBus/ZOOM provides reliable, convenient and economical service as attested by the increasing numbers of loyal riders. For example, since March 2007 there has been a 40 percent increase in the number of commuters taking the ZOOM Turnpike Express. 

I encourage you and your readers to give the transit system a try.  Bus schedules are available at www.shuttlebus-zoom.com and we can help with trip planning.  With a little flexibility, you would be surprised how far you can go in Southern Maine for little cost. 

Ed Clifford

Executive Director

ShuttleBus-ZOOM