By Jim Damicis, Scarborough resident and Senior Vice President, Camoin Associates

Scarborough is a car-centric community. You rarely see people waiting for the bus, or walking or biking to work. And frankly, in terms of buses, who would want to? There is no decent bus stop area and little service that fits people’s schedules. Route 1’s four busy lanes discourage walking and biking as they cut through the center of town. But, beyond perceptions, what does the data tell us about how we get around?

Unsurprisingly, most (84%) of Scarborough households with at least one worker have two or more vehicles. This is higher than the U.S. and Cumberland County (75% and 77%, respectively).

Estimates on how Scarborough residents get to work confirms our car-centric ways. In 2023, 2 in 3 Scarborough workers (66%) drove to work alone. Another 10% carpooled; 3% walked, biked, or took a motorcycle, taxi or other means; and just 0.1% took public transportation. The remaining 21% worked from home, thus not commuting by any means.

While many people choose to drive, others have no alternative. The only public transit is bus operated by Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach Transit, which runs along Route 1 with stops at the Enterprise Business Park/the Downs, the Cheese Iron, and Maine Health at Campus Drive.

Why does Scarborough’s lack of public transportation matter? First, heavy reliance on vehicles leads to congestion, which no one enjoys. Second, it has long-term environmental impacts. Third, it impacts businesses and workers. Right now, many businesses are struggling to find workers. Some people could work but lack access to transportation. Fourth, some residents may have difficulty getting to Scarborough establishments for medical appointments, services, and local businesses.

Scarborough’s 2021 Comprehensive Plan includes a vision for transportation: “Scarborough’s transportation network will support current and future land uses that create efficiencies which reduce the impact of traffic on residents and businesses.” Two of the strategies are:

• “Enhance Transit Access by continuing to work with the region’s transit providers to increase the availability of transit options for Scarborough residents and visitors alike.”

• “Reimagine Route 1 as a multi-modal corridor, incorporating the same character-enhancing principles of good design.”        

The plan places little emphasis on expanding public transportation – not due to government oversight, but because residents have repeatedly expressed little interest in it during public planning sessions.

A shift toward greater mobility options, including public transit, will require a broader, long-term vision – one that moves beyond cars and reimagines how we navigate our town.

Can we move toward a community where thoroughfares and destinations are served by public transportation and where there are more connections to train stations in Saco and Portland and the rest of Greater Portland? Maybe. It will depend on public demand and political will.

All these numbers increase during the core summer vacation months. In July-August 2023, there were 221 listings per month, with an occupancy rate of 82%. The average daily rate was $505, with average monthly revenue of $10,005. Average listings during these months increased from 181 in 2021 to 210 in 2022 to 221 in 2023.

Photo by Why Kei