To the Editor:
One of the great conveniences of Midcoast is the Trailways bus stop in Damariscotta. Even before the gas prices rose, a lot of family and friends found it a pleasant way to come for a visit.
Having the bus stop just eight minutes from my door is a wonderful feature for me – as is the handicap parking space adjoining the stop. Visitors from Connecticut and Boston have used this as a restful way to enjoy a trip to Maine. Damariscotta is an ideal hub for the 18 or so towns around us.
A bus driving through on Main St. is no more a traffic problem than are the many trucks that service the town. If parking the bus causes a short-term congestion that is intolerable, of course another solution must be found.
The property that used to be Seacoast Auto and is now a Greek restaurant is an ideal location for a bus depot. Has anyone asked the owner what the sale price to the town might be and are there any grants available to assist in establishing a public transportation center? More than just Trailways could operate out of such a transportation depot.
What about the public landing? Its present layout is not the most efficient design. I see wasted space on all sides of the landing. A better engineered design could accommodate a bus stop without losing much in the way of parking. Be sure there are handicap spaces in close proximity in the final design.
At all costs – keep the buses coming to the heart of Damariscotta. It gives the town a distinctive advantage.
Barbara Johnson, Nobleboro
