Editor:

    I read with interest “Jersey Tawk” by Sentry editor
Ward Peck [May 18], about the lack of coordination among public
transportation services in southern Maine. A couple weeks ago, I found
myself at work near the Maine Mall and seeking an inexpensive ride to
the Portland Jetport. I jumped online figuring I could easily find a
So. Po. bus route that would allow me to catch my flight but I was
dismayed by two things.  First, I learned that there was no direct
service from the mall area to the Jetport (half of which is located in
our city), nor from anywhere in our city. In fact, I would have had to
catch a South Portland bus into downtown Portland, where another bus
would carry me to the Jetport.  I took a cab instead.

    I also discovered that the South Portland bus system
is not a member of the Greater Portland Transit District, METRO. Given
the proximity it seems only natural that South Portland’s membership
would strengthen this system and that South Portland citizens would
benefit greatly from joining the regional system. Moreover, with a
critical mass of communities, all riders would benefit from an online
‘ride guide’ similar to that found in Boston, DC and other cities that
offer passengers options for getting from Point A to Point B.

    An email to Richard Sargent, listed online as the
city’s contact for public transportation, has gone unanswered for two
weeks. I hope that Mr. Peck’s article calling for a unified public
transportation system will garner more of an official response than I
was able.

Sincerely,

Taylor Kay

South Portland