BANGOR, Maine — The second of two required public hearings regarding the Hampden Town Council’s proposal to eliminate Community Connector Saturday bus runs in town is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers at Bangor City Hall.
Wednesday’s hearing, to be conducted by the Community Connector, is one of two that must be held if the town decides to move forward on the plan as a way to cut costs.
The first hearing, which was conducted last month by the Hampden Town Council, drew 15 supporters of the Saturday bus service.
Many of the 15 people who urged the councilors to continue the weekend service said they depend on it for getting to work, shopping, banking and other errands.
Others said they weren’t regular users of the bus but wanted it to continue because it was needed by others.
Last year’s attempt to end the run was narrowly defeated in a 4-3 vote.
Hampden officials were told last year that eliminating the Saturday runs would save about $28,000, but Community Connector bus superintendent Laurie Linscott has said that figure actually reflected the Community Connector’s total revenues for the run, which include government subsidies.
Hampden’s actual cost is about $16,000 a year, Linscott said.
The route runs between downtown Hampden and the bus transfer hub at Pickering Square in Bangor.
Linscott said last month that it wasn’t yet clear how the Bangor portion of the Hampden route would be served on Saturday if Hampden ultimately pulls out. That would be determined by the Community Connector and the city of Bangor, she said.
On average, the Saturday Hampden run last year picked up between 95 and 105 fares throughout the day, compared with the weekday average of about 170 fares. It was added in 2011 on a trial basis.
The final step in the decision-making process is expected to occur at the next Hampden council meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday.