Truth Crusader: Metro Route 4, Westbrook

The Metro Bus Route #4 is about to undergo some changes. There are a number of changes that are likely to happen that will help the buses be more on time in Westbrook and extend the hours of service to Longfellow Street, Westbrook Gardens and Brown Street.

The reason for this post is to get people to discuss improving the Route 4 (Westbrook) Bus. Those who are interested should consider calling their city councilor. Councilors’ contact information can be found at the bottom of this page and at: http://www.westbrookmaine.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={79092ED6-7724-4AC0-BB84-12CB6BFA251D}

The changes to Route 4 that are being considered include:

• Route 4 could go from Elm St to Baxter Blvd via Preble St and vice versa instead of using Forest Ave. (Note: Out of the 229 transfers exchanged between Routes 4 and 5 over a one week period during the “2005 Transfer Study,” 29 or almost 8% were used at the Post Office stop, which would not be accessible with this route change. However, there are other transfer points between these routes.

• Increase service to Brighton Ave by eliminating service to Forest Ave and Woodford St

• Create 20 minute service between Westbrook & Portland, eliminating the need for Exit 8 buses

• Service Brown St in Westbrook in the evening

• Eliminate service to Juniper Lane in Westbrook

• Route 4 could always drive in one direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise on the Brown St loop

• Add evening and consistent service to Longfellow St and Westbrook Gardens

(The previous bullets are found at: http://www.gpmetrobus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=82&Itemid=104 )

The City of Westbrook would surely benefit from having a 20-minute bus service to through the city. The current service to Westbrook is only every half hour, and often less than that. With a 20 minute service the intersection of Bridge Street and Main Street would see buses six times an hour because of buses going in both directions. To someone standing on the side of the street waiting for a bus decreasing the wait time can make a huge difference in convenience. A more dependable, more frequent schedule will make taking the bus attractive to more people, and this will bring more people through Westbrook’s growing downtown.

A reliable public transportation system is essential to any successful pedestrian, urban area. It allows people to get to walk-able commercial areas without having to worry about parking. It encourages small business and residential tenants to co-inhabit neighborhoods near bus stops. Public transportation encourages people to use cars less. In doing so public transportation fosters development more akin to the traditional New England towns that so many people miss experiencing.

The City of Westbrook currently gives the Metro money to pay for 15% of it's deficit each year, with Portland giving the other 85%. This is according to Peter Cavanaugh of the Metro who also estimated that a schedule bringing buses to Westbrook every 20 minutes would only increase Westbrook's contribution to 16%. This is a small increasing in spending considering that buses would come to Westbrook 1.5 times as often.

For More Information:

For information on how the city of Westbrook sees it’s future you can read parts of the “Westbrook Comprehensive Plan.” (This can be found at: http://www.westbrookmaine.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={2AFB11A0-724E-45F9-82B0-C5258793FCF5} )
-Specifically, Chapter 8 talks about areas of Westbrook, what they are like, and how they could be in the future. Page 8.11 refers to the Downtown District and how it attracts businesses. A bus system could help the downtown attract more businesses, as well as patrons.
-The Comp. Plan also speaks of the “Ethnic Neighborhood District” (on page 8.13) as an area in need of renewal. Again, a better public transportation system could contribute to neighborhood revitalization.

The source for the Route 4 bus changes can be found in a study called, "PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVING SERVICE ON GREATER PORTLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT’S ROUTE 4." You can get this study by emailing Peter Cavanaugh at: pcavanaugh@gpmetrobus.com

Westbrook City Council contact information:

Councilor At Large

John O'Hara

Phone:(207) 854-9309

E-mail: arahojjkmj@aol.com

Councilor At Large

Michael Foley

Phone:(207)807-2115

E-mail: mfoley@westbrook.me.us

Councilor President
Ward 1

Brendan Rielly

Phone: (207) 775-7271