FARMINGTON – Need a lift?
A new service is offering residents a chance to save some money on gas, parking and wear and tear on their vehicles, by transporting people from the Farmington Park & Ride to Augusta five days a week.
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The run is part of the GO MAINE system, a network which began operations in the 1980s made up of ride boards, van-pools, buses, trains and other public transportation options. The Farmington van leaves the Park & Ride, next to Rite Aid, at 6:45 a.m. on Monday through Friday and drives to Augusta, dropping passengers off throughout the city at their places of employment. At 4:30 p.m. the van starts picking people back up, returning them to the Park & Ride.
The driver, Anita Altmaier, said she lobbied GO MAINE to start the run after realizing that there weren’t many options for people heading to and from Augusta. GO MAINE, which is sponsored by the Maine Turnpike and the Maine Department of Transportation and administered by the Greater Portland Council of Governments, agreed and let Altmaier give it a try.
“It’s in its infancy, dare we say, right now,” Altmaier said.
Riders sign a contract with GO MAINE on a month-to-month basis. For $145, they can use the van Monday through Friday. With gas approaching $3 a gallon, Altmaier said there has been a decent amount of interest. Currently four out of the seven spots on the van are filled.
Anyone interested in utilizing the shuttle service should call Altmaier at 645-3814 or go online to gomaine.org. You can also view this and other gas-saving ride share opportunities at the Daily Bulldog’s ride board, here.
Way to GO Anita!!
good work!