News

Lewiston-Auburn to Portland Bus Service Celebrates First Year

Lewiston-Auburn to Portland Bus Service Celebrates First Year

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


The bus service connecting the Lewiston-Auburn area with Portland is celebrating one year of operation.

The bus line, known as the LAP, carried more than 23,500 passengers in its first year after being launched by the Maine Department of Transportation. Ridership averaged more than 1,900 passengers per month, with a high of 2,508 passengers in July 2025.

The two-year pilot program is meant to offer an affordable alternative to driving between Lewiston-Auburn and Portland. It will continue to operate under Maine DOT in partnership with RTW Management.

The bus connects riders to major spots in both metro areas, including Bates College, the Auburn Transportation Center, Monument Square in Portland, and the Portland Transportation Center.

Fares are $5 for one-way travel and riders have the option of using the new $5 fare on the Token Transit app.

The LAP primarily serves those traveling to and from work but is open to all riders for any transportation need.

Riders can track the bus in real time using the Tripshot app, and can sign up for text alerts to stay up to date on delays and cancellations.

MaineDOT says it remains committed to operating The LAP through the full term of its two-year pilot program. “The steady ridership growth and strong community support signal a clear demand for reliable regional transit,” the agency said in a statement.

More information about routes and schedules is available here.

Latest Headlines

9 hours ago in Local

Brewer woman accidentally shot during northern Maine hunting trip

31-year-old Amber Oaks was taken to a hospital in Caribou where wardens said she is getting surgery to clean the wound.

1 day ago in Local

New report suggests Maine already/will soon be in a recession

Credit rating company Moody's reports that the current economic problems are driven largely by a mixture of slowing immigration, increasing tariffs, and federal job cuts.

2 days ago in Local

Biddeford man charged with manslaughter in death of 5-week-old

Police have arrested a man charged in the killing of an infant in Biddeford last year.

2 days ago in Local

Deputies seeking teenager reported missing in Pownal

Police are looking for a teenager who may have run away from her home in Pownal.

2 days ago in Entertainment, Trending

Judge tosses out Drake’s defamation lawsuit against label over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

A defamation lawsuit that Drake brought against Universal Music Group was tossed out Thursday by a federal judge who said the lyrics in Kendrick Lamar's dis track "Not Like Us" were opinion.