BIDDEFORD — Ridership on local seasonal trolleys is up more than 8 percent from last year, according to figures from ShuttleBus-Zoom.

Ridership has steadily increased over recent years, and during the most recent summer season, trolleys carried about 145,000 riders, up from about 133,100 in 2015.

The local transit service ShuttleBus-Zoom, which receives funding from Saco, Biddeford, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough, operates multiple bus services, including a summer trolley service that transports riders from campgrounds to local attractions and down- town Old Orchard Beach.

It also takes people from Camp Ellis to Old Orchard Beach.

The trolley service runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and receives funding from fares, federal money, advertising and contract stops on the route.

Summer trolley ridership has more than doubled since 2010.

“It’s reached an all-time high,” said Shuttlebus- Zoom Mobility Manager Perian Carpenter.

“We’re light-years ahead of what I expected,” said ShuttleBus Director Al Schutz. He said dependability of service is a key component, as is friendly, helpful drivers and the ease of taking the bus into downtown Old Orchard Beach without the worry of parking.

Summer trolley service runs from 10 a.m. to midnight. Hours were extended this summer to accommodate the many J-1 Visa students who come to the area from foreign countries for summer work. Carpenter said next year, she will work to increase promotion efforts to J-1 students.

Ridership on the Camp Ellis trolley route, which was introduced last year, has tripled since last year, Carpenter said. She and Schutz attribute this to better promotion as well as efforts to streamline the route so that it doesn’t duplicate services offered by the year-round local service.

The summer trolley bus season may be extended next year to offer minimal service from Labor Day to Columbus Day, as there are many events in Old Orchard Beach in the shoulder season that draw people to the area.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].