| Parent | City of Bangor |
|---|---|
| Founded | December, 1972 |
| Headquarters | 481 Maine Avenue |
| Locale | Bangor, Maine |
| Service area | Bangor, Brewer, Hampden, Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Maine |
| Service type | bus service, paratransit |
| Hubs | Pickering Square Parking Garage |
| Fleet | 21 |
| Daily ridership | 2090 |
| Fuel type | Bio-Diesel |
| Chief executive | Joe McNeil, Superindendant |
| Web site | Public Transit |
BAT Community Connector is a bus system connecting Bangor, Maine, with outlying towns, including Veazie, Orono, Old Town, Brewer, and Hampden. The system is known as The BAT.
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While the BAT is colloquially known as the "Bangor Area Transit", "BAT" in fact does not mean that or anything else officially despite it implying an acronym by being in all capital letters. The managers of the system did not want to identify it with any one city or town.[1] Despite this, "Bangor Area Transit" caught on and many websites referring to the attractions of Bangor, Maine and how to get to them often refer to this public transportation system by the incorrect name.
The buses, are distinguished by their bright red color, decorated with a large stylized bat on their exteriors. The BAT system is structured to make it easy for riders to reach points of interest in the Bangor area. In 2003, the Mall Hopper line was added to facilitate easy connections between the Airport Mall, the Bangor Mall, and the Broadway Shopping Center. The Mall Hopper is also the only line not to go through the Bangor Depot.
Several of the newer buses offer plush seats and air-conditioning, as well as low floors, designed to make it easier for wheelchair passengers to board the bus without having to use a wheelchair lift. All buses are ADA compliant and are wheelchair ready.
Riders are allowed to get on and off at almost any intersection along the road, without having to use designated bus stops. There are a few exceptions where passenger safety is an issue.
BAT maintains 19 buses of various makes and models.
| Year | Make/Model | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Orion V | 3 |
| 1998 | Thomas TL960 | 3 |
| 2001 | Dennis SLF200 | 1 |
| 2003 | Dennis SLF200 | 6 (2 still operating |
| 2006 | NABI Bluebird Ultra LF | 1 |
| 2007 | Champion Bus Incorporated Defender midi-bus | 2 |
| 2009 | Goshen Coach on Chevrolet Chassis | 1 |
| 2010 | Gillig Low Floor | 5 |
This List is Incomplete.
The BAT operates Monday through Friday from 5:45 am to 7:05 pm, and Saturday from 6:15 am to 7:05 pm. All buses (except Mall Hopper and Black Bear Express) connect at the Bangor Depot at either 15 or 45 past each hour. The first trip to operate is Old Town 1 which leaves UMO at 5:45 am. The first trip for most other routes is 6:15 or 6:45 am at the Depot. The final trips to depart the Depot are at 5:15 and 5:45 pm (see above for particular route). Saturday service is slightly reduced, only one Old Town route operates, making for a two hour headway, no Hampden service is offered, and Center St. shares a bus with Hammond St. making for a 60 minute headway for both routes.
Fares are as follows:
-Monthly Pass (unlimited trips) $45, $20 for those 17 and under
-Five Ride Ticket $5 ($1.00 per ride)
-Regular Fare $1.25
-Reduced Fare (Seniors, Students) $.60
-MaineCard Holders (UMaine Students and Faculty) FREE
-Black Bear Express FREE
Transfers are free, valid for next departing trip of your choice, not valid for return trips.
FREE FARE FRIDAYS- Offered first in 2007 in conjunction with the State of Maine and several other public transit services across the state. Held: December 2007, July, 2008, December, 2008
COMMUTE ANOTHER WAY DAY- Held once a year in May to encourage people to use public transit, car pool, or bike to work. Fare is free on Commute Another Way Day.
AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL- Held at the end of August each year, BAT provides shuttle service from the event along the waterfront to a parking area at Bass Park.