The Maine Department of Transportation is holding a series of public meetings titled “Talking Transportation” to seek public comment regarding transportation issues, including public transportation.

Input from attendees will help MaineDOT understand the needs of the public and formulate its Long-Range Needs Assessment. This assessment will focus on the next 10 years and project out to 20 years.

Public comment is an essential part of this planning process. Western Maine Transportation Services plans to attend all eight sessions affecting our service area and encourages anyone with an interest in public transportation to attend one or more of the scheduled meetings.

Meeting times and locations are: March 23, 2015 at Auburn Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments (AVCOG), 125 Manley Road, 2 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.; March 25, 2015 at Farmington University of Maine-Farmington North Dining Hall, 111 South Street, 2 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.; March 26, 2015 at Mexico Mexico Town Office, 134 Main Street, 2 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.; April 1, 2015 at Bridgton Bridgton Town Office, 3 Chase Street, 2 to 4 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.

Meetings are subject to change. Please search online for: MaineDOT Talk Transportation

Accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Auxiliary aids will be provided upon advance request.

For more information, please contact: Scott Rollins, MaineDOT Assistant Director of Planning 207-624-3300.

Western Maine Transportation Services is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public transportation corporation established by statute in 1976. WMTS serves Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford Counties with public, wheelchair-accessible, “green” paratransit bus service in and around the more populated regions of our service area. WMTS administers DHHS Friends & Family Rides and Volunteer Rides programs. These provide cost-free transportation to MaineCare-covered medical appointments throughout the three counties. The WMTS Community Rides program in Oxford and Franklin Counties, Livermore and Livermore Falls, are funded by the United Way of Oxford County and United Way of the Tri-Valley Area. The ElderRides program is funded through SeniorsPlus. WMTS operates its services without regard to race, color, or national origin as per Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.