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The Greater Portland Transit District (Metro) has launched a redesigned website that delivers a faster, more intuitive, and mobile-friendly experience for riders across southern Maine. Built by Planeteria Media, the new gpmetro.org empowers the community to plan trips, access schedules, and receive real-time alerts with ease—modernizing how Metro connects with the region it serves.

About Greater Portland Metro
Greater Portland Metro is the largest public transit provider in Maine, offering fixed-route and express bus service throughout Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth, South Portland, Freeport, Yarmouth, Brunswick, and Gorham. With over 1.8 million annual riders, Metro connects people to work, school, and essential services while supporting regional mobility and sustainability goals.

Project Goals
• Replace the legacy CivicPlus site with a modern, non-proprietary platform that Metro fully owns and controls.
• Enhance accessibility, usability, and compliance with FTA and ADA standards.
• Improve communication tools for service alerts, meetings, and policy updates.
• Integrate real-time data and trip-planning features to support rider convenience.

Planeteria’s Solution
Planeteria migrated gpmetro.org to an open-source WordPress CMS hosted on Pantheon’s SOC 2-certified infrastructure, giving Metro complete autonomy and long-term scalability. The project followed a two-phase approach—first launching essential rider services, then adding advanced transit integrations such as GTFS feeds, real-time updates, and an interactive route map. Every element was designed for accessibility, simplicity, and speed, ensuring compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA and the Maine Freedom of Access Act.

Key Features & Functionality
• Trip Planner: Integrated tool for route, stop, and schedule lookup.
• Alerts Center: Time-sensitive notifications with publish/expire settings.
• Board Meetings & Agendas: Public posting tools for FOAA compliance.
• Multilingual Translation: Integrated Google Translate for LEP accessibility.
• E-Alerts & Text Notifications: Subscriber system for route and service updates.
• Dynamic GTFS Hosting: Seamless data updates for schedules and routes.
• Interactive Map: Clickable map view with system-wide route details.
• ADA-Compliant Design: Fully accessible templates with ongoing monitoring.

Project Highlights
Launched in February 2025, the new gpmetro.org represents a major step forward in how Metro communicates with its riders. The site’s clean design and fast performance make it easier for residents and visitors to navigate transit options, while Metro staff benefit from a powerful yet intuitive CMS with full content control.

Looking Ahead
The new gpmetro.org establishes a digital foundation for Metro’s future service expansions and customer engagement initiatives. Planeteria continues to provide managed maintenance, quarterly security updates, and ongoing ADA compliance monitoring to ensure lasting reliability and performance.

Visit the new site at www.gpmetro.org