Swan lake towns . Quiet towns require a reconsideration of bus operation. After announcing in March that the Island Explorer bus would not operate in Southwest Port and Tremont this season, the town chamber of commerce asked Downeast Transportation to reconsider.
Alan fall (Alan Feuer), vice president of the Southwest Port and Tremont Chamber of Commerce, asked the Tremont selection committee for a letter at Monday’s meeting in support of running at least one bus to the back of the island in the 2021 season. Cymbal.
“it’s a huge benefit for this side of the island,” Feuer told the board. Cymbal.
The limited parking spaces at several attractions in Acadia National Park, including the headlights of Port Bath, Shipyard and Wonderland, are one of the main reasons for the request. Cymbal.
“at present, Tremont forbids parking along the Lighthouse Rd, which makes it difficult for tourists: if they want to visit the lighthouse and there are no seats in the small parking lot, they need to turn around in disappointment, otherwise they may be tempted for illegal parking,” explained the proposal submitted to the selection committee. The crux of the problem is that there are too many cars on the, Lighthouse Rd and 102A this season. This leads to overcrowded parking areas, potential public safety risks and disappointing tourists. “
During the trial of the reservation system in Acadia National Park last October, several reports on cars parked on Highway 102A in Port Bath were submitted to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office. It seems that more tourists flock to Bass Harbor Head Light, where admission is free. There is a nearly 90-to-102A U-turn there to meet Lighthouse Road, thus increasing flow and causing harm to pedestrians SAF ETY when vehicles are parked on the side of the road in the area. Cymbal.
Assistant deputy Pat Kane (Pat Kane) attended a selection meeting in early April to discuss plans to solve the parking problem in the headlight district of Port Bath this season. Kane told the board that the park would not advertise lighthouses on its website to reduce traffic. Cymbal.
“until they put the parking area, it’s going to be an ongoing problem,” the board said, stirring up the chair man Jamie Sorrow. Cymbal.
“I think if several cars are towed there, the news will spread quickly,” Selectman McKenzie Jewett said. Cymbal.
In addition to meetings with park administrators and directing traffic to Lighthouse Road for help, Kane said the sheriff’s office planned tickets for trumpets to problems and had vehicle tow knitted if ticket sales would not work. Buses passing through the area can reduce the number of parked vehicles.
“the proposed route is a ring road starting from Echo Lake and then south at Smuggler’s Den Campground, Southwest Port Town Centre, Tremont School, Swan Island Ferry Terminal, Lighthouse, Ship Harbour, Wonderland, Seawall Campground, Seawall and, according to the proposal of the Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Port City Centre, Acadia supplier Market and Echo Lake. “bus parking is available at Echo Lake, Tremon t School, Seawall Campground and Acadia Vendor’s Market in the city center. Every parking lot is marked with standardized road signs. In addition, the Chamber of Commerce will develop a road map and distribute it to local visitor centres and businesses. “
Paul Murphy, Downeast’s director of transport, said he knew that the chamber of commerce had made a proposal to the Tremont selection committee, but did not see it, so he could not comment.
“We don’t have the ability to provide meaningful services there,” Murphy explained why the company cut bus routes to Southwest Port and Tremont this quarter. Cymbal.
According to Murphy, Island Explorer offered two hourly buses in previous seasons, and there were a lot of passengers. The social distance requirement of the bus is equivalent to a 65% reduction in the number of passengers. Cymbal.
“to provide this level of service, we need to provide three times as many [buses], which is impossible,” Murphy said. “even if we have the same number of buses and the same number of drivers, we can only carry 1/3 passengers.”
In addition to the request for support from the Tremont selection Committee, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce plan to obtain letters of support for bus routes from Southwest Port selectors and Acadia National Park officials. Once these are ready, the Chamber of Commerce plans to submit the information to Downeast Transportation for consideration.