Best Transportation in Maine — 14 resources

About Transportation for Women

Transportation assistance helps women get to work, court, prenatal appointments, childcare, and DV shelters. Public transit passes are often free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT, which covers rides to all covered medical visits at no cost), and WIC. Many workforce and job training programs include bus passes, and the Ways to Work program funds low-interest car loans for working parents. Domestic violence shelters often coordinate confidential relocation transportation through VAWA-funded programs. In rural areas, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs operate through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance.

Transportation in Maine

Maine district courts handle most family matters; superior courts handle more complex cases and appeals. The Division of Support Enforcement and Recovery operates under DHHS. Portland, Lewiston, Bangor, and Auburn are the largest cities. Pine Tree Legal Assistance and the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence support women, with strong online self-help resources for custody and support.

14 Resources

1. Metro (Greater Portland Transit)

Greater Portland Metro at 114 Valley St in Portland operates fixed-route buses across Portland, South Portland, Westbrook, and Falmouth, plus the Husky Line to UNE and the BREEZ commuter line to Brunswick. Reduced fares for seniors, students, and Medicare cardholders. Call 207-774-0351 for paratransit (Metro Breez RIDE) eligibility.

207-774-0351 · 114 Valley St, Portland, ME 04102 · Mon-Sat routes · Visit Website

2. Community Connector — Bangor Transit

Bangor's Community Connector operates 13 routes Monday-Saturday across Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Old Town, and Veazie, with paratransit available under the ADA. Call 207-992-4670 to ask about reduced-fare passes for low-income riders and the LIFT paratransit application.

207-992-4670 · Bangor, ME · Mon-Sat routes · Visit Website

3. Citylink — Lewiston/Auburn Transit

Citylink runs the public bus system for Lewiston-Auburn, with routes connecting downtown Lewiston, Auburn Mall, the LA Industrial Park, and Bates College. Call 207-784-9335 for the fare card programs and the dial-a-ride for ADA-eligible women.

207-784-9335 · Lewiston, ME · Mon-Sat routes

4. MaineCare Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Free

MaineCare NEMT is administered by ModivCare (formerly LogistiCare) and provides free rides to MaineCare-covered medical appointments — including prenatal visits, methadone clinics, dialysis, and behavioral health. Call 866-636-0600 at least 3 business days before your appointment to schedule.

866-636-0600 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Western Maine Transportation Services

WMTS in Auburn operates fixed-route buses (Lewiston-Auburn, Wilton-Farmington, Bethel area) and demand-response vans for Androscoggin, Franklin, and Oxford counties. ADA paratransit and MaineCare NEMT contractor in the region. Call 207-364-8786 to schedule.

207-364-8786 · Western Maine · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · Visit Website

6. Amtrak — Free

Amtrak's Downeaster runs five daily round-trips between Portland and Boston with stops in Brunswick, Freeport, Wells, and Saco. Senior, child, military, and companion discounts apply. The Brunswick station extension makes mid-coast travel possible without a car.

Nationwide · Online

7. Greyhound — Free

Greyhound's Maine stops include Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Houlton, with connections to Boston, NYC, and Canadian cities through Concord Coach Lines partnerships. Useful for long-distance travel without a car.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. FlixBus / Megabus — Free

FlixBus serves Portland with frequent low-cost service to Boston (often $9-

5) and onward to NYC. Concord Coach Lines covers most other Maine destinations. Useful for budget travel to medical specialists or family in southern New England.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. US Department of Transportation — Free

USDOT.gov has federal-transit rules, ADA paratransit requirements, and the Federal Transit Administration's Maine state contacts. Useful for understanding what your local Maine transit agency is required to provide.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. 211 — Transportation Help — Free

Dial 211 in Maine for referrals to local transportation assistance programs — including faith-based ride networks, Area Agency on Aging volunteer drivers, and bus-pass assistance through Community Action Agencies. Free, multilingual, 24/7.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Veterans Transportation Service — Free

Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta operates a Veterans Transportation Service shuttle network bringing veterans from across Maine to medical appointments. Eligible women veterans can also apply for VA Beneficiary Travel reimbursement for their own mileage.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Modivcare (Medicaid Transportation) — Free

ModivCare is the contracted broker administering MaineCare Non-Emergency Medical Transportation statewide. Online portal lets MaineCare members request rides, modify pickup times, and find what type of trip is covered. Phone scheduling at 866-636-0600.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety — Free

AAA Foundation publishes research-based guides on older-driver safety, including the CarFit assessment offered occasionally at Maine senior centers. Useful for families navigating the difficult conversation about when a Maine senior should stop driving.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. National Aging and Disability Transportation Center — Free

NADTC is the federal resource on transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. The site has Maine-specific contacts (Maine Council on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging) and best-practices for advocating for better rural transit.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many transportation resources are in Maine?
Women's Corner tracks 14 transportation resources for women in Maine.
Are transportation resources in Maine free?
10 of the 14 listed transportation resources in Maine are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Maine have transportation resources?
Listings span cities including Portland, Bangor, Lewiston.
What are some examples of transportation resources in Maine?
Featured entries include Metro (Greater Portland Transit), Community Connector — Bangor Transit, Citylink — Lewiston/Auburn Transit, MaineCare Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, Western Maine Transportation Services.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
5 of 14 Maine transportation listings include phone numbers.
How do I get a free bus pass?
Most transit agencies have reduced or free passes for low-income riders, seniors, students, and people with disabilities — apply through the transit agency directly. TANF and SNAP recipients often qualify for free passes through state Human Services. Domestic violence shelters, job training programs, and recovery programs typically provide transit passes for participants.
Are there free rides to medical appointments?
Yes. Medicaid in every state covers Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — call your Medicaid managed care plan or state Medicaid office to schedule rides to doctor visits, dialysis, therapy, and pharmacy. American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery and Angel Flight provide free transportation for cancer and serious illness. 211 can find local volunteer driver programs.
Can I get help buying or fixing a car?
Yes — Ways to Work, Modest Needs, Vehicles for Change, and 1-800-Charity-Cars provide low-interest loans or donated vehicles to low-income working parents. Many state TANF programs have car repair funds for parents who need transportation for work. Local United Way 211 has the most current list — funds rotate.
What if I have no transportation to my job?
Tell your American Job Center caseworker — WIOA can fund transportation as a 'supportive service' including bus passes, gas cards, and car repair. SNAP E&T and TANF work programs also pay for transportation. Many employers in low-wage industries (logistics, healthcare) now offer transit stipends or shuttle service from designated pickup points.