The long-awaited Brunswick Explorer Bus Service is scheduled to start by fall 2010, according to Coastal Trans Executive Director Lee Karker.
Director of Finance and Campus Services Delwin Wilson said there is "more firm public commitment" now that there is a set "timeline."
Both Karker and Wilson commented that the plan was for the service to start operation before Bowdoin begins its 2010-2011 school year.
"I am reasonably comfortable in saying that it will start before next fall," said Karker.
With a tentative route released, fare prices set, and hours of operation decided, the system is only awaiting the arrival of the two hybrid buses themselves.
The buses are fixed to run between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The proposed route map indicates service starting in front of Thorton Oaks Retirement Community on Baribeau Drive and going as far as Sweetser on Bath Road.
One of the many stops is planned to be on or near the Bowdoin Campus.
"We tentatively put it on Maine Street," said Karker, though the exact location might change after a meeting with the Bowdoin Student Government (BSG)'s Facilities committee.
Wilson said that he and Karker are meeting with the BSG next Thursday to start the conversation about the most convenient place for the stop.
According to Wilson, Coastal Trans is eager to talk to Bowdoin students before deciding on the location of the campus bus stop.
Other stops of interest to Bowdoin students include: Parkview Memorial Hospital, the shops and restaurants on Maine Street, Merrymeeting Plaza, Cooks Corner, Walmart and Mid-Coast Hospital.
The fare has been set at one dollar. No word on student discounts has been released.
According to Karker, there is a plan for discounts, just not one for Bowdoin students.
"We haven't talked about how we would do that for students," he said.
Wilson, however, said there has been some preliminary discussion about possible OneCard discounts or buying passes in bulk, among other options.
According to Wilson, these ideas are still being "explored."
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