It is possible I suppose for a bus to "escape" on.....but would there be video evidence of someone purchasing a ticket? A single young girl, either disguised or not? And is she was last seen about 2:35, is it enough time to get to the station, get a ticket and leave prior to the ping at 3:07? ( I doubt she would linger in the bus station for a later bus if she did this, she'd want to get away asap). How often does a cell phone "ping" a tower? I read it was to update info. etc on the more up to date models of phone. But, what was the ping for? Does a phone "ping" every hour? Every 5 minutes? Would you know your phone was pinging a tower? And that darn shoulder bag still bothers me.....it is in the school video image, but the police released pics of the purse, locket and phone. Why not the bag? If you were close enough to see a locket or specific type of phone, a large bag would also be recognizable.
Two things come to mind here-
1. the ticket or tickets could have been purchased in advance by someone else.
2. Take a look at this, from the Concord Bus Lines information:
http://www.concordcoachlines.com/index.php/ticketing-information
Is there a student/military/senior discount for tickets?
A student fare discount of $5.00 is available for college students on regular round-trip tickets only when traveling to and from Bangor, Augusta, and Portland, ME to Boston South Station and Logan Airport. This discount does not apply to same-day round-trips tickets. There are no student discounts available for the Maine Coastal Route. A College Student ID must be presented to the Ticket Agent at time of purchase. No other school documents will be accepted. Student round-trip discount is good for 90 days. This discount cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or promotions. This discount is for college students only; high school students are not eligible to receive the college student discount.
Special fares for Plymouth State University students.
This was a very busy time in North Conway, due to the long weekend (Columbus Day Weekend). There would be a lot of kids sight seeing around that time.
Could she have had a friend or two that was in college, one that lent her their ID while the other traveled with her to her destination, then came back alone with the other friend's borrowed ID?
I know it's probably a long shot, but it is a possibility. Especially where that bus goes by the Cranmore area. Also, perhaps Concord Bus Lines are not the only bus company that travels out from North Conway. I believe I read that Greyhound as well as US Coachways has busses going through there.
Oh, and the shoulder bag also bothers me. She could have fit an outfit as well as a disguise in there (sunglasses, hat, make up, etc) and changed in a gas station bathroom or something. I found it odd that there was never a picture of it displayed with the necklace, phone, and purse.