Metro Breez

The project was begun with federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. With this being phased out after three years, it was partially replaced with continual support from the Federal Transit Administration's Section 3507 Formula Funding Program, with the rest of the funding being provided by the towns serviced by the route. In addition, each town would be allocated one seat on the Metro board, with Portland's representation increased from five seats to eight, in order to maintain the city's having at least, but no more than, 50% of the seats on the board. Two months later, Breez and the Amtrak Downeaster rail service established a partnership to promote public transportation options between Portland, Freeport and Brunswick. A pricing agreement was put in place, with a $3 one-way fare, a $27 ten-ride pass, and a $90 monthly option. In 2020, discussions began regarding a potential southern expansion to Scarborough and Saco. and a twice-daily round trip to Bath Iron Works (BIW) was added in 2025. Senator Susan Collins (R) announced $1.8 million funding for public transport in Greater Portland in 2022, with the Metro using their portion to purchase four 35-foot, environmentally friendly buses to replace its aging fleet. The buses were launched in April 2023, with all rides being free on April 22 and 23 to celebrate the event. == Route ==

The outbound service begins at Thompson's Point, with its first stop being at the adjacent Portland Transportation Center. It then continues southeast, along Congress Street, passing by Maine Medical Center, Longfellow Square and Congress Square, before its second stop at Monument Square, near Portland Public Library. Continuing along Congress Street, the route turns left onto Washington Avenue at the foot of Munjoy Hill. After leaving the Portland peninsula, the service travels north on Interstate 295 from Tukey's Bridge to exit 15 in Yarmouth. After stopping at the exit 15 park and ride, beside U.S. Route 1, it makes two other stops in the town: at Yarmouth Town Hall on Main Street and in front of the Hannaford supermarket plaza back on Route 1. Continuing north on Route 1, the service makes four stops in Freeport (all on Route 1): at the Maine Beer Company park and ride, the L.L. Bean headquarters, Freeport Town Hall and at the L.L. Bean flagship store on Main Street. The service returns to I-295 en route to Brunswick, where it stops at Church Road (on Route 1), the Maine Street park and ride, the Amtrak station and, finally, Bowdoin College. The inbound journey stops at River Road on Route 1. Two daily stops at BIW occur at 6.20 AM and 3.25 PM. Non-BIW journeys take around one hour each way. == See also ==