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About ATRC

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1. What does ATRC stand for?

The ATRC stands for Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center.

2. What does an MPO do?

The ATRC MPO discusses and votes on multi-modal transportation issues of region-wide significance, decides which local transportation projects should be implemented, and encourage and provide numerous opportunities for public involvement in the transportation planning process. One of the ways in which this is accomplished is through adoption of a Long Range Plan which is updated routinely. Also, based on the needs identified through the long range planning process, the MPO develops and adopts a priority list of projects for implementation each year, known at the TIP. This annual process and other activities is organized from the UPWP.

3. What are the core functions of an MPO?

There are five core functions of a Metropolitan Planning Organization:
1. Establish a fair and impartial setting for regional decision making.
2. Evaluate transportation alternatives.
3. Maintain a long-range transportation plan covering a 20 year planning horizon.
4. Develop a 4 year Transportation Improvement Program and prioritize projects.
5. Involve the public.

4. What is the MPO structure?

The ATRC MPO is comprised of a Policy Committee, a Technical Committee, and Staff. The MPO Staff provides professional transportation planning services and ongoing administration of planning projects within the MPO planning area.

5. What is the Metropolitan Planning Organization?

A Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is a transportation policy-making board comprised of representatives from local government and transportation authorities. Each urbanized area in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more is required by the federal government under US Code Section 134 of Title 23 to have a metropolitan planning organization (MPO). An MPO is a federally required transportation planning body comprised of elected and appointed officials representing local, state and federal governments or agencies having interest or responsibility in transportation planning and programming. An MPO is responsible for the development of Long Range plans, the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) for its metropolitan planning area. The adoption of these documents is a prerequisite for the receipt of both federal transit and federal highway funding.

The ATRC MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Lewiston, Auburn, Lisbon and a portion of Sabattus, according to federal and state laws.

6. What is the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?

The MPO develops a bi-annual Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) that identifies and prioritizes projects over the next four years. These projects generally come from the LRTP. Improvements to services and facilities identified in the TIP include roadways, aviation, bicycle and pedestrian facilities,

7. What is the Long Range Plan?

The plan looks to define what the region's transportation system will look like in 20 years. The plan considers projected growth in population, employment, and residential and commercial development as the basis for new policies and projects to facilitate all modes of transportation, including roads and highways, rail, public transit, and biking and walking.

8. What is The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP)?

The Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) is a statement of work, or business plan identifying activities to be carried out by the ATRC MPO.

9. When do the ATRC committees meet?

The ATRC Policy Committee generally meets on the fourth Thursday of every month at 10:00 AM at AVCOG. The ATRC Technical Committee generally meets on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 AM at AVCOG. All meetings are posted on the calendar on the ATRC home page and are open to the public.

10. Are the ATRC meetings open to the public?

Yes, all ATRC meetings are open to the public.

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ATRC Traffic Counts

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1. Why are Traffic Counts important?

Traffic count data is a vital component of the transportation project selection process because traffic count numbers can assist officials in determining transportation project needs. The ATRC collects volume data on an 'as-needed' basis, utilizing MaineDOT's statewide counting program instead. The ATRC focuses on turning movement count data, which aids it's traffic signal management system and local business community.

2. What is ADT?

ADT stands for Average Daily Traffic. This is the number of vehicles that you would expect to travel a particular roadway on any single day. Some counts may be for one direction only, such as where a road has been divided by a median. These are typically denoted with a SB (southbound) or NB (northbound) label. Traffic may be higher or lower than this number on a given day, depending on a number of factors such as time of year.

AADT stands for Average Annual Daily Traffic. This type of count determines the average daily traffic of a location based on data collected over the course of an entire year.

3. How often are traffic counts completed?

The MaineDOT counts most locations every other year for a single 24 hour period, and uses a weekly factor by corridor type to determine the average traffic count. Every fifth year, counts are conducted in Aroostook and Washington county. Some locations with the highest volumes are counted every year. A few dozen locations in the state are continuously counted with monitoring stations.

4. How do I ask for other traffic count information that is not shown?

Email George Peterson at the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center.

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citylink/LATC

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1. How much does a ride cost?

There are three different fare categories: Regular, Senior/ADA and Student. Cash fares are as follows:
Regular: $1.50
Senior/ADA: $0.75
Student: $1.25 (any student with a valid student ID)
Additional Information

2. How do I know if the bus is going where I want to go?

The destination sign on the front of the bus will tell you what bus route it serves. Ask a bus driver if you aren’t sure which route your destination is located on. Additional Information

3. How do I know if the bus is going to stop at a certain place?

The buses stop at citylink bus stop signs. Passengers request their stop by pulling the yellow cord inside the bus which will activate the stop request sign. The bus driver will stop at the nearest bus stop sign.

4. Where can I catch a bus?

Passengers can catch citylink by waiting at “citylink bus stop” signs located along each bus route. The signs are purple and reflective silver.

5. Does the bus go to SeniorsPlus (8 Falcon Road, Lewiston)?

The Main Street bus travels on Mollison Way and will stop for passengers to board and debark near Falcon Road on Mollison Way where SeniorsPlus is located.

6. Where can I buy a pass?

Passes can be purchased at Hannaford (Auburn and Lewiston), Shaw’s (Auburn and Lewiston), Walmart, Greyhound Bus located at the Oak Street Bus Station, Auburn City Hall (Tax Office), Lewiston City Hall (City Clerk’s Office), River Valley Village, and at USM/LA and CMCC for students only.

7. Can I catch the bus in front of my house?

If you live on a citylink bus route you will have to walk a short distance to the nearest bus stop sign. citylink is a fixed route bus system meaning the buses travel the same route and on the same roads each trip. The bus does not divert from the route.

8. Is there a free shuttle?

Yes, there is one free shuttle. The Mall Shuttle serves Auburn’s mall area between Center Street (U.S. Route 4), Turner Street, and Central Maine Community College. Passengers can get on and off the bus as many times as they want without having to pay a fare. Once passengers leave the mall service area you are required to pay a fare on your return trip home.

9. What do the routes and colors mean?

The route names, route number and colors are used to help people identify the buses and locations the buses serve. The colors and route numbers are used in the bus schedule and are also on each bus to help passengers identify the bus they need.

10. Is there a senior citizen discount?

Yes, senior citizens and individuals with a disability ride for $0.75, half-fare. A senior citizen is a person age 65 and older.

11. Are there bus passes?

Yes. citylink offers multi-ride passes and monthly bus passes. There is a regular fare 6-ride pass for $7.50 and a senior/ADA fare 11-ride pass for $7.50. The multi-ride passes are discounted providing passengers with one free ride.

Passengers can also purchase monthly passes which allow for unlimited rides during the month. Monthly passes cost $36.00 for regular fare, and $18.00 for senior/ADA and students. Monthly passes are only good for the month indicated on the pass.

12. Can anyone buy a pass?

Yes. A friend or relative can buy a pass as a favor or as a gift. The bus drivers are responsible for checking to see if people are using a valid pass.

13. How do I pay for my ride? Is there a coin box?

You can pay for your ride using cash, a multi-ride bus pass or a monthly bus pass. There is a fare box located at the front of the bus for cash fares. Please be sure to have exact fare because bus drivers do not have change. The use of multi-ride passes and monthly passes eliminates the need to worry about having the exact fare.

If you are using a multi-ride pass present your pass to the driver and he/she will punch out a trip. The multi-ride passes are good for either 6 rides or 11 rides. If you have a monthly pass, show the driver the front of the pass as you board so the driver can verify that it is for the correct month. Monthly passes need to be signed on the back of the pass.

14. How many bags (grocery, Walmart, etc.) can I carry onto the bus?

Passengers can bring on as many bags as they can carry in one trip. The bus drivers will provide assistance to passengers carrying bags. Handcarts are allowed on the bus. The passenger is required to keep their cart out of the aisle

15. I can’t climb stairs; I use a walker – is there a way for me to get on/off the bus?

Yes. If you have difficulty climbing stairs ask the bus driver if he/she could extend the ramp or lift. citylink has both low floor buses and standard floor buses. The low floor buses have a ramp at the front of the bus that is used for passengers using wheelchairs or other mobility impairments. Standard floor or high floor buses have a lift located towards the back of the bus.

16. Does the bus run 7 days a week?

No. citylink runs a full schedule Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:45 PM, and a limited schedule on Saturday, 9:15 AM to 5:15 PM.

17. Does the bus run on holidays?

citylink does run on some holidays. It does not run on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

18. Does the bus run during bad weather?

citylink does operate in bad weather as long as conditions allow. If citylink is to be shut down for the day or shutdown early notice is given to the major television stations, as well as posting on citylink’s website, www.purplebus.org. People can sign up on citylink’s website to automatically receive an email or a text message if a notice is posted. You may also receive citylink notices by following @purplebusla via Twitter. www.purplebus.org

19. Is there a restroom on the bus?

No. There are public restrooms at the Downtown Auburn Transportation Center located at 24 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn.

20. If I need assistance getting on/off the bus (up/down the steps), will someone help me?

Yes. Bus drivers are trained to assist passengers if asked by the passenger.

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Regional Profiles

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1. What is the most recent census data for my town?

The most recent census data at the town level is a five year American Community Survey (ACS) figure for years 2011-2015

2. Where can I find information on my town?

Demographic Profiles for Maine Towns, Cities, Counties, and the State can be found at the Census State Data Center.

3. Where can I find unemployment figures?

The Maine Dept of Labor, Local Area Unemployment Statistics program provides monthly estimates of the labor force, employment, unemployment, and unemployment rates for the state, counties, labor market areas, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and cities and towns (minor civil divisions).