MDI bus system to improve service

BAR HARBOR – The popular Island Explorer bus system may include speedier travel to Southwest Harbor this summer and full coverage of the Park Loop Road in 2007, planners said Thursday night at a sparsely attended public workshop held in the municipal building.

“We’ve come up with ideas for improving the service, adding routes where appropriate and adjusting it to the changing needs of the community,” Tom Crikelair, a transportation consultant, said during the workshop. “Lots of the ideas we’re starting to play around with have their origins in … passenger comments.”

Many of those comments came from Southwest Harbor residents, he said.

“Local residents in particular will say it’s a great service – but please, could you make it a little faster,” Crikelair said. “It takes awhile to get from one side of the island to another.”

The planners are considering adding cross-island express service or more buses to the three standing-room-only buses that now service the Quietside.

“I’d like to make the service more efficient,” Crikelair said. “That could be 2006.”

The fleet of propane-powered buses will be expanded this spring with the arrival of some new 28-passenger buses, all equipped with two three-capacity bike racks and two seats with child-appropriate seat belts. Buses now have seats with lap belts, said Paul Murphy, general manager of Downeast Transportation.

The new buses may be used to increase frequency of routes such as Sand Beach, but that hasn’t been determined yet, the officials said.

Offering a complete route around the Park Loop Road may be a possibility for next summer, according to Crikelair.

“We think we could attract new riders to use the system if they could go on the Park Loop Road,” he said. “There is no connection between the visitors center and Jordan Pond.”

Also under consideration by planners are:

. Expanding service to link Town Hill and Somesville.

. More designated bus stops.

. Improved child safety on buses.

Officials also briefly discussed the proposed transit and visitors center planned for Trenton, and its impact on the bus system if it is constructed.

“One thing we know is that there needs to be frequent, fast service from Trenton to Bar Harbor,” Crikelair said. “We also need a bus link from the Head of the Island to Somesville to Southwest Harbor.”