Southwest Harbor mulls bus support> Voters to decide on funding for islandwide system

SOUTHWEST HARBOR — The question of whether to use local funds for an islandwide bus transportation system will go to a vote in Southwest Harbor at the annual town meeting in May.

Although the public busing plan has not won widespread support among merchants and business owners here, selectmen have placed the issue on the warrant for discussion at the May 6 town meeting. If voters approve the article, the town will place $7,000 into a reserve account that can be used for the local share of the bus system — if the eventual schedule and route win public approval.

Members of the town’s warrant committee have already said they do not support the project.

The proposal for a seasonal, islandwide bus system won state support last fall with $500,000 in funding promised through the Transportation 2000 initiative. The Mount Desert Island League of Towns, with members from the four towns on the island and Acadia National Park, drafted the successful application with the help of a consultant. As proposed, the bus system, expected to be on the road by 1999, would connect the four towns on the island and would offer frequent stops throughout the national park.

About $416,000 of the total funding would be used to buy eight propane-powered buses, some equipped with bicycle trailers.

The town of Mount Desert has already approved its $7,000 local share, and Bar Harbor is expected to pitch in its $15,000 share at town meeting in May. Another $30,000 will come from the national park; the nonprofit Friends of Acadia is contributing $36,000. The town of Tremont votes on May 13 whether to approve its $1,000 local share. Businesses in each of the towns will also be expected to contribute.

But the plan has its detractors in Southwest Harbor, with the Board of Selectmen not deciding until last Wednesday that the item would even appear on the warrant.

Town Manager Ken Minier said selectmen think the schedule would have to change before the town contributes any money. “The feeling of the board is that a lot of places will be asked to give business money and those businesses should get bus service if they’re going to contribute.”

Members of the local Chamber of Commerce have argued their businesses will not benefit from the bus schedule as now proposed. They have said the bus will primarily benefit businesses in Bar Harbor and will help reduce congestion in the park. Some business owners have said they fear the bus will take customers to Bar Harbor rather than bringing them in to Southwest Harbor. They also say the present proposal could mean parking congestion in Southwest Harbor if people staying at campgrounds have to drive into town to catch the bus. They would instead like to see the bus schedule change so that buses stop at those places.

Len Bobinchock, who has worked on the proposal as deputy superintendent at Acadia, said recently the bus schedule and route could be changed, but additions can drive up the cost or change service to other areas.

Southwest Harbor’s decision will also affect Tremont’s vote a week later. If Southwest Harbor turns down the proposal, service to Tremont would be more expensive.