County to accept $700,000 MADI grant to pilot income-based transit fares for southern Maine

Cumberland County will accept a $700,000 federal demonstration grant to test a coordinated, income-eligible fare program across the region, staff said.

Alexis Skye, healthy eating/active living team lead with Cumberland County Public Health, and Zoe Miller of the Living Maine Network presented the Mobility Access and Transportation and Inclusion (MADI) project, a two-phase initiative that received planning and then demonstration funding from the Federal Transit Administration via a University of Minnesota program. Phase 1 produced community engagement, surveys and listening sessions that identified barriers for unhoused teens, new immigrants, people with disabilities and rural residents. The county and partners partnered with the Greater Portland Council of Governments and the Shared-Use Mobility Center for research and planning.

Phase 2 funds will be used to launch an income-eligible fare program with two tiers: a free-fare option for people with the highest need (pilot group of about 300) and a reduced-fare option (up to 3,200 people). The project also includes navigation and outreach hubs, work with community organizations for enrollment and language access, and a demonstration evaluation to measure outcomes such as access to medical care, employment and social connectivity. Year-two work will focus on building a cooperative, sustainable funding structure with community organizations, philanthropies, anchor institutions and employers.

Commissioners praised the plan and asked whether the project will change service frequency or infrastructure; presenters said this grant is focused on affordability and navigation rather than service planning, though increased ridership could support future service improvements. The grant and the demonstration pilot were placed on the consent calendar for formal acceptance.