The COAST bus system had a record-setting year in 2011, providing more than 464,000 passenger trips and helping Seacoast residents save more than $600,000 on gas.

COAST (Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation) provides bus services in Rockingham and Strafford counties, as well as Berwick, Maine.

The alliance began offering several new routes in the last year, including volunteer-driven services in Brookfield, Wakefield, Middleton, Milton and New Durham. In December, COAST began offering a permanent Saturday service through Dover, Somersworth and Berwick. 

COAST increased its paratransit trips for individuals with disabilities by 50 percent in 2011.

Nine out of 10 COAST customers use the system four to six days per week, according to an end-of-the-year report from executive director Rad Nichols. He is planning to implement more new commuter services in 2012.