Island Explorer Ridership Increases

ACADIA NATIONAL PARK – Ridership on the Island Explorer, the fleet of propane-powered buses that serves Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park, continues to climb.

Estimates from Downeast Transportation Inc., the nonprofit company that operates the no-charge bus system, indicate ridership has increased by about 6 percent from last year. The estimated ridership on the Island Explorer as of Aug. 16 was 239,718. In addition, the service’s Bike Express has carried more than 9,000 bicycles this year.

The Island Explorer began operations in June 1999 and offers eight bus routes that link hotels, inns and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. In 2006 the service welcomed it 2 millionth passenger.

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