LEWISTON — This school year, college students looking for a weekend reprieve from life on campus will get another opportunity — and it’ll make it easier to get back to school, too. 

A Concord Coach Lines bus service connecting Lewiston and Auburn to Portland, Boston and Logan Airport will add direct service to and from Bates College starting Sunday, Aug. 27. 

The Concord Coach Lines service, which began in the area in June, will give Bates students, as well as Lewiston residents living near Bates College, even easier access to the buses running between Portland and Boston. 

For students, it could make for more convenient trips home during holiday breaks, or quick day trips to Portland. 

When the bus service began two months ago, city officials, including Auburn Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, who was a lead advocate in getting the service here, called it a significant win for both cities. 

The Bates College bus stop will be in front of Chase Hall on Campus Avenue. Tickets will not be sold at the stop, but passengers can buy tickets at the new Lewiston-Auburn Transportation Center at 1707 S. Washington St., Exit 75 off 1-95 in Auburn, where the bus goes from the college. 

The bus also stops at the Great Falls Transportation Center in downtown Auburn, which serves as the hub for the local Citylink bus service. 

Sean Findlen, chief communications officer for Bates College, said he expects the service to become popular not just among students, but for staff as well.

Findlen said he’s already taken advantage of the Concord Coach Lines service to Boston, which he said was “fantastic.”

Faculty this week are in the final days of gearing up for a new school year. Most students arrive on Monday, he said. 

“Any increased transportation options connecting to Lewiston are always going to be a positive development,” he said about the Bates bus stop.

He said the college is “pleased to have additional options,” adding to the Citylink service and Greyhound service.

Tickets for the bus can also be purchased online. Bates College students are eligible for a $5 discount when showing a valid college I.D. 

A ribbon-cutting was held in June for the Lewiston-Auburn Transportation Center. It was built to be the main hub for the new Lewiston-Auburn connection. 

LaBonte told the Sun Journal in June that Concord was not going to begin service through the downtown Auburn location until the Exit 75 center opened.

Now, the two stops have paved the way for a connection to Bates College.

arice@sunjournal.com 

A Concord Coach Lines bus leaves the Great Falls Transportation Center in downtown Auburn in June on the first day of the company’s new service in Lewiston and Auburn. On Sunday, service will expand to include a stop at Bates College in Lewiston. 

– For a full Concord Coach Lines college calendar, click here. 

– For a full bus schedule, click here.