For the second straight summer, the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation will expand services on its two most popular routes. COAST will add more frequent weekend trips to Routes 1 and 2 beginning June 24.

Route 2, which travels between Rochester, Somersworth, Dover, Newington and Portsmouth, will add several Friday night and Saturday runs. Route 1, which includes Dover, Somersworth and Berwick, will add Saturday services (Route 2 currently only runs on weekdays). 

The weak economy and high gas prices have increased local bus use. COAST had a record-high 410,000 passenger trips in the last fiscal year, and they expect to exceed that with a projected 440,000 passenger trips in the current fiscal year.

It’s the second straight year COAST has expanded its summer services along the two routes. The bus line is searching for additional funds to provide more frequent services year-round, according to a press release.

For full schedules, visit www.coastbus.org.