The wheels on the bus go round and round: A guide to visiting the Museum & Theatre by METRO bus!
There are many reasons and ways to take the bus to the Museum & Theatre! Read on to find out which route to take, fare prices, and how to track the bus.
Why Take the Bus to the Museum & Theatre?
Don’t have a car?
Taking the bus is a convenient way to reach the Museum & Theatre and arrive at the heart of Thompson’s Point.
It’s a learning experience!
Taking the bus can be an unusual and fun experience, with new views, new seats, new people, and more. Unlike when driving, caregivers can focus on kids while riding the bus, and enjoy the ride together.
Reduce your environmental impact!
Taking the bus is good for the environment. Driving less burns fewer fossil fuels which contribute to climate change. You might even be able to ride one of GP Metro’s electric buses!
Taking the bus helps save gas and money.
At a time when gas prices are unpredictable, taking the bus means you can budget exactly how much your fare will cost, saving gas for future trips!
Payment is necessary for all parking on Thompson’s Point.
By taking the bus you can avoid parking fees (or a parking ticket) during your visit.
Free wifi!
The GP Metro buses are equipped with free wifi you can access during your ride.
The electric metro bus makes a stop behind the Museum & Theatre.
The UMO Mobility App
How to pay:
Download the UMO Mobility app on your smartphone, register your account, add money using a credit or debit card, and scan the QR code from your phone on the reader when you board the bus.
Get your DiriGo Pass smartcard at the METRO Pulse at Elm Street in Portland, Saco Transportation Center, or South Portland City Hall. Register and add value to your account using a credit or debit card. When you board the bus, tap your DiriGo Pass smartcard on the reader.
Pay Cash (exact change only) when you board the bus.
Fare Prices
Fare is $2 per person for local travel, and $1 reduced (see below for information on reduced pricing). Fare is $4 for the Metro Breeze, and $2 reduced. This fare is valid for 90 minutes from scanning, including transfers, if you use a Smart Card, the Mobile App, or a 90 Minute-Pass. When using the mobile app there is a monthly cap of $60 spent on fare, and $30 for reduced fare. Read more at on the Metro website.
Bus Discounts
METRO offers reduced fare for Seniors 65+; Red, white, & blue Medicare card holders; persons with disabilities; SSI, SSDI, & VA benefit recipients; Veterans; and Youth (age 6-18). To receive reduced fare, you must complete a reduced fare application, and provide photo identification (including proof of age). The reduced fare application can be found at here. Once the form is filled out, email it to dwalker@gpmetro.org or mail it to 114 Valley St. Portland, ME 04102. When approved you receive a smartcard showing you qualify and would get transfers, daily fare caps and monthly fare cap at the reduced rate.
Live Tracker/ Text Tracker
Southern Maine Transit Tracker
The Southern Maine Transit Tracker website has several tools to help plan and track transit trips in "real time" on METRO and regional partners, including South Portland Bus Service and Casco Bay Lines ferry service. You can select a stop to see when the next bus is coming or select a route to see where the bus is in real time.
You can also text the four digit bus stop specific ID number to 41411 for the arrival time of the next bus to that stop. Be sure to text the word “SMTT”, a space, and then the bus stop number, for example: SMTT 586
How to take the Metro Breeze
The Metro Breeze provides express service, Monday - Saturday, between Portland, Yarmouth, Freeport, and Brunswick, from Thompson’s Point (Stop 819) to Brunswick Train Station (Stop 918) or Bowdoin College (Stop 920). To reach the Museum & Theatre, get off at Thompson’s Point (Stop 819) next to Rosemont Wine Bar and Rwanda Bean Coffee, which is on the backside of the Museum & Theatre. Carefully walk alongside the white fence of the Museum & Theatre to the front door that faces Depot Pavilion.
How to take Metro Route 1
Route 1 provides service within Portland between Thompson's Point and Munjoy Hill/Eastern Prom via Congress Street and Fore River Parkway. To reach the Museum & Theatre, get off at Thompson’s Point (Stop 819) next to Rosemont Wine Bar and Rwanda Bean Coffee, on the backside of the Museum & Theatre. Carefully walk alongside the white fence of the Museum & Theatre to the front door that faces Depot Pavilion.
How to take Metro Route 5
Route 5 provides service between downtown Portland and the Maine Mall area of South Portland. To reach the Museum & Theatre going Inbound to Downtown, get off at the Congress St + Sewall St (Stop 186) (currently in front of the Mobil Gas Station). To reach the Museum & Theatre going Outbound to the Maine Mall, get off at Congress St + 1189 Congress St (Stop 158) (currently in front of Johnson’s Sporting Goods).
It is a 15 - 20 minute walk from these bus stops to the Museum & Theatre, on sidewalks with a slight decline. From the bus stop, carefully use the cross walks and make your way to Sewall Street. Walk down Sewall St towards several parking lots including the Portland Transportation Center long term parking lot. Carefully cross through the parking lot to Thompson’s Point Road which curves around the Portland Transportation Center. Continue following Thompson’s Point Road towards the water and our blue and gray tiled building will come into view.
How to take Metro Route 9A/9B
Route 9A travels in a clockwise direction from downtown Portland to North Deering.
Route 9B travels in a counterclockwise direction along the same route. To reach the Museum & Theatre on the 9A, get off at the Congress St + Sewall St (Stop 186) (currently in front of the Mobil Gas Station). To reach the Museum & Theatre on the 9B, get off at Congress St + 1189 Congress St (Stop 158) (currently in front of Johnson’s Sporting Goods).
It is a 15 - 20 minute walk from these bus stops to the Museum & Theatre, on sidewalks with a slight decline. From the bus stop, carefully use the cross walks and make your way to Sewall Street. Walk down Sewall St towards several parking lots including the Portland Transportation Center long term parking lot. Carefully cross through the parking lot to Thompson’s Point Road which curves around the Portland Transportation Center. Continue following Thompson’s Point Road towards the water and our blue and gray tiled building will come into view.
Connecting to Other Transportation
If you are traveling to Portland with other modes of transportation or would like to connect from the Museum & Theatre, please check out this helpful guide from Greater Portland Metro.