AUGUSTA - Passengers who use the Go Maine vanpool service have been given some extra time to find an alternative means of transportation before the service screeches to a halt in the fall.

"We're not eliminating Go Maine. It's just the portion that deals with vanpools. This was not done without a lot of thought; we knew it would be disruptive, but it was something that wasn't sustainable. We couldn't offer folks those transportation options with gas going up," said Sue Moreau, manager of passenger service for The Maine Department of Transportation.

Go Maine is a commuter service that provides low cost, economical and eco-friendly options for folks traveling to and from work. It includes everything from carpool and vanpool services to buses or bicycling options available throughout the state. Go Maine's vanpool service began in 2002 with just nine vans and has swelled to 27 vans that can now be seen rolling along the turnpike and Maine roadways on any given day. Deborah Turcotte of Bangor is a Go Maine van driver.