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1. Can I bring my bike on board the bus?

Yes, there are 2-3 bike racks on the front of all METRO buses, so take your bike with you.

Taking Your Bike

To take your bike:

1. Remove loose items from your bike.
2. Release the latch on the bike rack.
3. Load your bike onto the rack in front of the bus.
4. Board the bus.
5. Enjoy the ride.

Be sure to inform the driver that you will be unloading your bike as you exit the bus.

More Information

View additional information and instructions for taking your bike on the bus.

2. Where do I find a schedule?

Online Schedules- HERE

A full schedule of all routes is also posted at the METRO Pulse at Elm Street.

A limited number of full-size schedule posters are available. Please email for information: HERE 

3. How do I ride the bus?

Determine Your Destination

Find out where you want to go and what time you want to get there and then determine which bus routes serve your destination point and starting point. Check the route schedules online or pick up a schedule at a convenient location.

Find the Time-Point

Look at the schedule serving your destination first, and find the time-point on that schedule nearest your destination. Time-points are landmarks or intersections that show estimated arrival times of the bus. Each schedule shows a map of the route, and time points. In most cases, you can get on and off the bus at bus stops between these time-points (there are hundreds of bus stops located along METRO routes).

Check the Route Schedule

Then check the schedule for where you want to begin your trip to determine when you need to catch the bus.

4. Where do I wait for the bus?

Look for a METRO bus stop signs (located throughout Portland and Westbrook, along Route 1 in Falmouth, at/near Maine Mall, and along Route 1 and downtowns in Yarmouth, Freeport, and Brunswick). The routes served are listed on the sign. 

Signal the Bus Driver

Use a hand motion to signal the bus driver at the bus stop.

Arrive Early

It is a good idea to arrive at your bus stop five minutes before the bus is due to arrive. The route you want to take will displayed on the top of the bus (this is called a Destination Sign).

5. What is the METRO PULSE?

The METRO Pulse at Elm Street is the Downtown Portland hub for Greater Portland METRO bus service.
Passengers can access information for our Customer Service Staff, wait for the next bus, or purchase fare media.
METRO bus routes, #2, #4, #5,  #7, and the Husky Line begin and end their route at the METRO PULSE on Elm Street in Portland.  Some other routes, including METRO Routes 1, 8, and BREEZ, as well as South Portland Bus Service buses, are accessible nearby at Monument Square.

The METRO PULSE (also known as the Downtown Transportation Center) is located at the Elm Street Garage (Elm Street is off Congress Street, near the Portland Public Library). 

The address is:
21 Elm Street
Portland, ME 04102
Call 207-774-0351
EMail - info@gpmetro.org

More Information

For more information, view the METRO PULSE page.

6. I am a high school student in the Portland Public School system - how do I get a pass?

Contact your school directly as they are handling the Metro pass program individually. Portland High School - Ann Marie Bryce; Deering High School - Krista Simonis; Casco Bay High School - Gloria Leberman.

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1. How do I pay to ride?

The best way to pay for your ride is to use a DiriGo Smartcard or the Umo Mobility App. Smartcards can be purchased at the METRO PULSE offices at 21 Elm Street in Portland, during business hours. Value can be added to this card for repeated use. The Umo Mobility app is available in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. 

To pay, make sure there is enough value on your card or app. If using a card, simply tap the DiriGo fare tablet when entering a bus. If successful, you'll hear a cheerful noise and the display will read "PAID". If using the app, scroll to the wallet tab, where you'll find a QR code. Hold your phone a few inches away from the camera on the DiriGo tablet so that the QR code is visible on the screen. You'll hear a cheerful noise when you've successfully paid. 

Paying with the DiriGo card or app allows you to transfer between any METRO, South Portland Bus Service, or Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB) service within 90 minutes (you may need to pay the net fare difference if transferring to an express route). Using the app or card also unlocks fare capping, which is discussed here. 

To pay with cash, deposit exact fare into the fare box (in any combination of bills and coins). Drivers cannot make change. 

Fares: $2 for local service, $4 for BREEZ express service. Some passengers may qualify for reduced fares. 

More Information

• Fare information
• DiriGo TouchPass Mobile App and Card Information - HERE
  Website - HERE

2. What is "fare capping" and how do I use it?

What is fare capping, and how is this different from a bus pass?

Fare capping is a way for frequent passengers to save money on transit without the need to pay up front for a bus pass. This ensures that all users can take advantage of fare capping regardless of income. Fare capping also removes the commitment of buying a bus pass up front, allowing for flexibility for our riders.

Fare capping is automatically applied after a rider has spent a certain amount in a given day or calendar month. There is no need to sign up, and no need to purchase a special pass -- just load value onto your DiriGo smartcard or app and ride normally. 

Fare capping only works with a DiriGo smartcard or the Umo Mobility app. More information can be found here. 

How does fare capping save me money?

Fare capping saves money by providing free rides after a rider has paid a certain amount in fares in a given day or calendar month. Typically, fare capping activates after the third ride in a given day or 20th ride in a given calendar month. 

For full-fare passengers riding local trips, fares are capped at $6 per day and $60 per month. Those qualifying for reduced fares also have reduced fare caps, meaning a reduced-fare rider will pay no more than $3 per day or $30 per month for local trips.  For passengers using the BREEZ express route, fare caps (like single-ride fares) are doubled, at $12 per day and $120 per month for full-fare riders. 

Why not just sell bus passes?

While bus passes work great for many people, there are several disadvantages compared to fare capping. Bus passes require an up-front payment, which some people are unable to afford. This up-front payment is also a commitment; some riders may not know what their ridership habits will be like, so a pass wouldn't make sense to those riders. Fare capping allows riders the flexibility to choose the mode that's right for them, and if they choose METRO often enough, they'll save the same amount of money as they would have if they'd bought a pass.

What if I use buses in South Portland or Biddeford?

Fare capping applies to the whole DiriGo system, which includes METRO, South Portland Bus Service, and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB). Fares paid on any of these services apply to your daily or monthly fare cap. Note that the BSOOB Route 70 (also known as the Purple Line or ZOOM Express) has a higher fare, and higher fare cap, than the METRO BREEZ.

Fare Capping Video -- LINK

3. I am a high school student in the Portland Public School system - how do I get a pass?

Contact an administrator at your school as they are handling the Metro pass program individually. 

4. How does the DiriGo fare system work if I need to take two buses to get to my destination?

The DiriGo Umo Mobility App and DiriGo TouchPass Card is valid for 90 minutes whether you take one bus or more to get to your destination. Simply tap your card or scan your phone normally; you should be cleared to board with a transfer.

Note that for transfers to a higher fare route, like the BREEZ, the net cost will apply. For example, if you pay for a $2 local trip and transfer to the BREEZ, you'll be charged the net difference in cost of $2 additional. 

Cash riders will need to pay a fare each time they board a bus.

Paper transfers are no longer available.

5. If I still have questions, how do I get answers?

• Call 207-774-0351
• Email - info@gpmetro.org
• Check out other areas of this site
• Visit the METRO Pulse at:
  21 Elm Street
  Portland, ME 04102
• For questions about the DiriGo powered by Umo, visit DiriGoTouchPass.org, call 1-833-272-7270

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1. How do I wait for the bus?

Use the bus schedule for the route you're waiting for to determine when your bus will arrive. If your stop is between two listed timepoints, your bus will arrive some time after the upstream timepoint. Wait at the bus stop at least five minutes before the bus is due to arrive. When the bus is approaching, make yourself visible to the bus driver.

You can find real-time bus arrival information on the Umo Mobility smartphone app, as well as other third-party apps.

2. How do I know when the bus will arrive?

Maps and Bus Schedules for METRO Routes - HERE

Download the Umo Mobility app to track your bus and pay your fare. 

If you’re at a bus stop, text "gpmetro", followed by the bus stop ID # (all bus stops have them) to 41411 and receive a return text on your wait time.

3. How do I get off the bus?

Bus stops are located about every 1/4 mile along the route, with the exception of the Husky Line and BREEZ, which have limited stops. The bus, or the bus driver, will announce stops as they approach. To get off at the next stop, pull the yellow cord located along the side of the bus.  Please provide plenty of time so that the bus driver can approach the stop safely. 

When you've arrived at the stop, please use the back door to allow passengers to board through the front. You may use the front door if it is more comfortable for you or if you need the bus to kneel or deploy the ramp; just let the driver know. 

4. How many bus stops do you have?

METRO has hundreds of bus stops throughout our service area.

Stops on local routes are located about 1/4 mile apart.

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1. What is the new Husky Line?

The Husky Line travels between Portland, Westbrook, and Gorham and between USM campuses in Portland and Gorham.

Link to Route Map and Schedule

2. Where are the pickup points along the route?

PORTLAND: 

• Elm Street Pulse (METRO's downtown Portland Hub) at 21 Elm Street.
• Marginal Way/Preble Street
• USM Portland - Bedford Street
• Brighton/Stevens

WESTBROOK:

• Westbrook Hub (Mechanic Street)
  
  

GORHAM

• Main Street, Town of Gorham
• USM Gorham - Bailey Hall

Transit West Project

3. Can anyone use the Husky Line?

Yes. The Husky Line is open to the general public.

The Husky Line route has limited stops to provide faster service.
Link to Map and Schedule - HERE

Local full fare is $2 ; Reduced fare is: $1. (Exact fare on bus. Driver does not make change.
OR

Use the  DiriGo TouchPass Mobile App or Card.--INFO here

4. Will the Husky Line run during the summer and other school breaks?

Since the Husky Line is open to the general public, service will continue under the regular schedule during USM school breaks.

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1. Can I visit the Greater Portland area without a car?

The METRO bus service offers a variety of routes around Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, and the Maine Mall area of South Portland seven-days-a-week. The METRO BREEZ express service travels between the Portland Transportation Center (PTC), Yarmouth, Freeport, and  Brunswick Monday through Saturday. These services make several trips daily.

Bus Connections

Visitors can also connect to:

• Casco Bay Ferry Lines
• South Portland City Bus (Willard Beach, Spring Point, and SMCC)
• ZOOM-ShuttleBus (Old Orchard Beach, Biddeford, Scarborough, and Saco)

Bike Racks & Accessibility

All buses include bike racks (for two bikes) and are wheelchair accessible.

TenRide Ticket

Purchase a TenRide ticket for METRO local and South Portland Bus Service.

2. Is it possible to visit Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth without a car?

You can use a combination of public transportation, walking, and/or biking. Hop on South Portland City Bus (Route #21) in Portland (on Congress Street) to the Pillsbury and Cottage Street stop. The entrance to Fort Williams, where Portland Head Light is located, is approximately 1.5 miles south on  the left. Please note that Cottage Road turns into Shore Road. There are several great places to grab lunch or a snack near the bus stop.

3. Is it possible to go to the beach using public transportation?

METRO #1 travels up Munjoy Hill to East End Beach. METRO #8 stops at Casco Bay Lines where you can take a ferry to any of the islands for a beach getaway. Or, take South Portland Bus to Willard Beach, Spring Point Lighthouse, or Bug Light (for a great view of Portland).

4. How do I connect to buses, trains, or ferry service?

Regional Bus and Rail

METRO Routes #1, #5, #9, and BREEz  provide transportation to the Portland Transportation Center, which hosts Concord Coach Lines and the Amtrak Downeaster. Passengers can connect to other METRO buses at the METRO PULSE (METRO's downtown Portland hub) in downtown Portland located at 21 Elm Street in Portland.

Ferry

METRO Route 8 connects to the Old Port area and Casco Bay Ferry Terminal, providing island residents and visitors transportation throughout the Greater Portland region. METRO Route 8 connects to most other METRO routes near Monument Square. 

Cruise Ship Passengers

For cruise ship passengers, METRO's Route #8 provides service from the Portland Ocean Terminal and Ocean Gateway.

5. I am a high school student in the Portland Public School system - how do I get a pass?

Contact your school directly as they are handling the Metro pass program individually. Portland High School - Ann Marie Bryce; Deering High School - Krista Simonis; Casco Bay High School - Gloria Leberman.

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1. Where do I get a reimbursement form for purchases, allowances, or travel?

Go to the Human Resources "Forms" page in the Employee Portal and choose the form you want. Open and print.

2. How do I access past pay stubs?

Go to Employee Self Service at https://gpmetrome.munisselfservice.com/login.aspx. Your username is your employee number and last name (no spaces). The password is the last four digits of your social security number.

3. How do I access Employee Self-Service (ESS)?

Go to https://gpmetrome.munisselfservice.com/login.aspx. Your username is your employee number followed by your last name (no spaces). Your password is the last four digits of your social security number. You can edit your personal information, review pay information after 1/3/19, change dependent information, address, phone number, and more. Any questions, please contact Teresa Mead, Payroll Coordinator.

4. How do I get a new parking pass?

If you currently have a parking pass and have lost it, or need to update vehicle information, email Lauren Shaw at lshaw@gpmetro.org , 774-0351, ext. 10 or 517-3020, and she can print you a new one. If you would like to request a parking pass for the first time, access the form here and submit it to Lauren.

5. What do I do if I have lost my employee ID badge?

Contact Lauren Shaw, Danielle Walker, Leon Parsons, or Denise Anania immediately to have the badge shut off and reissued. Employee badges can be used for unlimited rides on all routes, so turning a lost badge off as soon as possible is very important. Each employee is allowed only one badge at a time.

6. I lost money in the vending machine - how do I get it back?

Put your name, employee number, and the amount on a post-it note and stick it to the proper machine. When Mainly Vending comes in, weekly, to refill the machines, they will bring the note, along with the money, to Dispatch, who will notify you that they have it.