Community Connector

Last updated
Community Connector
Community Connector logo.png
BAT5.jpg
A Community Connector bus rolls through the University of Maine campus.
ParentCity of Bangor
FoundedDecember, 1972
Headquarters481 Maine Avenue
Locale Bangor, Maine
Service areaBangor, Brewer, Hampden, Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Maine
Service type bus service, paratransit
HubsPickering Square Parking Garage
Fleet22
Daily ridership2,795 [1]
Fuel typeBio-Diesel
Chief executiveLaurie Linscott, Superindendant
Website Website

The Community Connector is a municipally owned bus system connecting Bangor, Maine, with outlying towns, including Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Brewer, and Hampden. The system is owned and operated by the City of Bangor.

Contents

Overview

Most Community Connector buses are distinguished by their bright red color. The 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 Black Bear Orono Express was added in 2009 as a shuttle between downtown Orono and the University of Maine campus with additional stops in the town of Orono. The Mall Hopper and Black Bear Express are also the only lines 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.

The bus system was previously known as BAT Community Connector (or "the BAT"). [2]

A free, unofficial mobile phone application for the Community Connector was released in March 2012 for both the iPhone and Android platforms. The app included routes and schedule information, displayed the amount of time until the next scheduled bus arrival, and calculated the distance and time information for the stops that are closest to your current position. However, the app is no longer available for download.

Bus service

Operations

A Community Connector bus rolls through the University of Maine campus. (Close-up of the bus) BAT1.jpg
A Community Connector bus rolls through the University of Maine campus. (Close-up of the bus)

The Community Connector operates Monday through Friday from 5:45 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 UMaine 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 was suspended in June 2022 due to an ongoing driver shortage.

Routes

The Community Connector, based in Bangor, Maine, serves points within the city and in nearby Brewer, Hampden, Veazie, Orono, and Old Town. [3]

Fares

Fares are as follows:

Transfers are free, valid for next departing trip of your choice, not valid for return trips.

Special promotions

See also

References

  1. "City of Bangor - BAT Community Connector (BAT)" (PDF). US Dept. of Transportation. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  2. "Bangor unveils new bus system" Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Me. Apr 25, 2002. pg. 2 4 Edition by Jeff Tuttle.
  3. "Welcome to the City of Bangor, Maine - Route Schedules & Maps". Archived from the original on 2014-09-11.
  4. "The official website for the City of Bangor, Maine". Archived from the original on 2013-10-24.