06/17/2025
We partner with Arts for a couple community events/dances a year. It’s always great to see a success story from the different ride services they provide.
Check out Matt's story!
From Rides to Independence: Matt Bechard’s Journey with the Aroostook Workforce Connector
In the rural heart of Aroostook County, where transportation can be one of the biggest barriers to consistent employment, Matt Bechard’s story is a shining example of how community support and personal determination can create real change.
For nearly five years, Matt has been a dedicated employee at Irving Farms in Caribou. Living in Washburn, he often faced the daily stress of figuring out how to get to work. Rides from his employer, co-workers, and friends helped him stay on the job, but they came with uncertainty. Taxis were a costly $25 one-way—and not always dependable. “I didn’t like feeling like I was a bother,” Matt shared. “I just wanted a way to get to work that didn’t depend on anyone else.”
That all changed in early January 2025, when a friend spotted a Facebook post about the Aroostook Workforce Connector (AWC). The AWC, a one-year pilot program funded by the Maine Department of Transportation and operated by Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS), offers free, reliable transportation to and from work across Aroostook County. Matt signed up with a simple phone call and began using the service on January 8, 2025.
Over the next five months, Matt took 89 trips with AWC. The program became more than just a ride—it became a bridge to a better life. With dependable transportation, Matt never missed a shift. “I was always on time, but never too early,” he said. Even during the hectic planting season, when job sites changed frequently, ARTS’ staff adjusted pickup times and locations with flexibility and care. Changing rides was done with ease thanks to the friendly and accommodating dispatchers at ARTS, who made sure his needs were always met.
Matt credits the AWC with helping him do something he hadn’t been able to do in 13 years: purchase a vehicle of his own.
On June 6, 2025, Matt made the call to ARTS to cancel his AWC rides—indefinitely. The reason? Thanks to the money he saved by using the AWC, he finally bought a car. For Matt, owning a vehicle isn’t just about transportation—it’s about freedom, reliability, and pride. “I finally feel independent,” he said. “I can work extra shifts on weekends, go where I need to, when I need to. It’s a huge relief.”
Matt is now eager to share his success story with others. He talks about the AWC openly on Facebook, encouraging anyone in need to give it a try. “There’s no catch. It’s easy. They’ll pick you up and bring you home—for free. That’s it. It works.”
For ARTS and the Aroostook Workforce Connector program, Matt’s story is proof that a little help goes a long way. A simple ride to work became the key that unlocked new possibilities—a reliable job, financial stability, and personal independence.