PORTLAND, Maine (AP)   Portland, Maine’s regional bus service has broken a ridership record.

The Press Herald reports the Greater Portland Transit District Metro bus service saw 1.95 million riders in 2018, a 5 percent increase from the previous year.

Metro officials expanded bus service to Westbrook and South Portland last year and added a line for University of Southern Maine students.

It also added 11 new buses, improved signage and launched a new website that sends text alerts for system updates.

Metro General Manager Greg Jordan says the increased ridership shows high quality public transit works in southern Maine.

He says they need to continue making improvements, such as providing modern fare payment options and increasing bus arrival frequency.