Greater Portland Metro Awarded $4.25 Million Federal Grant to Expand and Modernize Bus Fleet

December 1, 2025

Metro News

Investment will support service expansion, replace aging vehicles, and strengthen regional economic growth

PORTLAND, Maine — Greater Portland Metro announced on Monday, November 24 that it has been awarded $4,248,542 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FY25 Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The funds will replace aging buses and expand transit service in the region.

The federal investment will fund the purchase of six 35-foot transit buses, including the replacement of three vehicles that have reached the end of their useful life and three additional
buses to support planned service expansion to Scarborough and potential additional service in South Portland.

“Receipt of this federal funding is an important step toward modernizing Metro’s fleet and meeting the region’s growing mobility needs,” said Glenn Fenton, Executive Director of Greater Portland Metro. “These buses will allow us to retire vehicles that are beyond their useful life and expand service in the region. At the same time, the award reinforces how essential predictable, long-term investment is—both federally and at the state level—to keep Maine’s transit systems strong and aligned with the region’s economic growth.”

“Meeting the transportation needs of Cumberland County residents as well as its many summer visitors requires a public transit system that is safe, reliable, and prepared for the future,” said Senator Collins. “Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I have long advocated for resources to strengthen and modernize our state’s transit systems. This investment will allow Greater Portland Metro to retire older buses and continue delivering safe, high-quality service to residents and travelers alike in Southern Maine.”

“Public transit is an essential service for Maine communities — helping folks commute to work affordably, connecting families, and supporting visitors coming to experience ‘The Way Life Should Be.’ This investment in the Portland bus fleet will help ensure Maine people can get where they need to, and visitors can also benefit from this critical service for years to come,” said Senator King.

Federal Transit Funding Drives Maine’s Economic Competitiveness

Public transit plays a vital role in supporting the region’s economy. Reliable transit:

  • Connects workers to jobs, including in health care, hospitality, education, retail, and manufacturing—sectors that depend heavily on a stable labor supply.
  • Strengthens access to childcare, health care, and training programs, making it easier for families and workers to participate fully in the economy.
  • Ensures businesses can grow, particularly in sectors facing workforce shortages where transportation barriers limit hiring.
  • Reduces congestion and parking demand, lowering infrastructure costs for municipalities and employers.
  • Reduces emissions and improves air quality, particularly in high-traffic corridors and growing communities, creating healthier neighborhoods and supporting Maine’s climate
    goals.
  • Supports local small businesses, increasing customer foot traffic along transit corridors.
  • Positions the region for future growth, as employers increasingly look to communities with strong transportation networks when deciding where to locate and expand.

“Southern Maine is experiencing unprecedented housing and commercial development, particularly in Portland, Westbrook, South Portland, and Scarborough. Reliable transit is essential to making this growth sustainable—connecting new residents to jobs and services, reducing parking demand, and ensuring that development patterns strengthen rather than strain the region’s economic and transportation systems,” Fenton continued.

Meeting Community Needs with Modern, Reliable Service

The three buses being replaced in this grant are 2011 models that each will have provided over a half a million miles of service before they’re retired. The new vehicles will bring improved reliability, reduced operating costs, and a better customer experience for riders.

The additional three buses will support Metro’s planned expansion into the Town of Scarborough in 2026 and offer the opportunity for enhanced service in South Portland as well, enabling more dependable service for commuters, students, and families.

A Strong Example of Regional and Federal Partnership

This project reflects strong regional alignment, with support from the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the region’s transit partners, and the Town of Scarborough, which recently voted to fund transit service for its residents.

“This is exactly the type of high-impact infrastructure investment that positions southern Maine for continued growth,” Fenton added. “We appreciate Senator Collins’ leadership on transportation and her recognition of how critical federal support is for local transit agencies.”

Greater Portland Metro operates 11 local routes and two regional routes connecting Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, Yarmouth, Freeport, Brunswick, Gorham, and South Portland. Metro is the largest public transit provider in Maine.

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