Penquis Lynx announces an expanded schedule

BANGOR – Penquis C.A.P., Inc. (Penquis) has announced that its transportation program The Lynx has increased its general public transportation schedule to five days a week for all towns served in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

The new schedule expands the days and hours of operation of Penquis Lynx. It now allows travel Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. anywhere within Penquis Lynx’s two-county service area. Rides must be scheduled two full business days in advance and are provided by agency vehicles as well as in private vehicles with volunteer drivers. The “curb to curb” transportation is used to meet a variety of individual needs, with many riders using the service to visit friends, attend classes or support groups, go to the laundromat, medical appointments, veterinarian, work and more. 

The schedule change comes after Penquis received a 2024 planning grant from the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center to obtain community input on unmet transit needs. Thirteen community meetings were held to obtain feedback on needs and possible solutions. The results indicated a clear preference for expanding the general public transportation schedule. 

According to a report from the John T. Gorman Foundation, public transit meets only 11 percent of the state’s transportation needs. The expanded schedule is intended to offer greater flexibility and support to area residents and meet a greater proportion of transportation needs across the two counties. 

“This change marks progress towards meeting the transportation needs in the communities served by Penquis Lynx,” said Steven Richard, Penquis Transportation Services director. “Increasing access to transportation will help decrease missed medical appointments, reduce isolation, and improve Mainers’ ability to meet daily needs and to age in place.”

While community members clearly indicated the need for more transportation availability, they expressed satisfaction with the quality of services. “I have been riding with Penquis Lynx for a number of years, quite frequently,” said one member. “I have been very satisfied with Penquis Lynx and have recommended it to a number of others.” 

Others commented that drivers were “professional, pleasant and timely” and that all staff were “Very nice people. Regular, polite, concerned. They go the extra mile to help.” 

Richard said the current focus is on increasing awareness of the general transportation services so that more people can meet their needs. One new rider on the Penquis Lynx recounted her recent trip, saying, “It was the first time I had used the service, so I really wasn’t sure on how to do it, but everything worked out great yesterday. The drivers I had were very, very good, on time and very pleasant.”

Another called the service a “game changer” and said, “The drivers are great. If I had one complaint, it’s that I wish I would have known about this service a long time ago!” 

The standard fare for Penquis Lynx is $0.50 per every five miles traveled. The maximum fare amount is $7.50 per one-way trip. Individuals with a disability have a fare cap at $2.50 per one-way trip. The fare is waived for individuals whose income is within 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, veterans and individuals receiving treatment for cancer or dialysis.

For more information on Penquis transportation services, visit www.penquis.org, call 973-3695 or email lynxemails@penquis.org.

Penquis is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1967 to assist individuals and families in improving their financial stability. Penquis programs and services focus efforts in four key areas: healthy lives, access to transportation, housing stability, and school readiness. Through its programs and subsidiaries, Penquis affects all of Maine’s sixteen counties but primarily serves individuals in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Knox counties. Approximately 5,000 people are served on any given day and more than 30,000 each year.