Newburyport Summer Shuttle Returns for Weekend Visitors & Residents

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. - May 16, 2016 - PRLog -- Now you can get here from there. For the second year, the Mayor's Office is offering a convenient way to get around the City during the busy summer tourism months. Visitors and residents alike can board the Newburyport Summer Shuttle, which runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May 27 to Sept. 4, 2016.

With 10 roundtrips daily from the Newburyport Commuter Rail Station, the Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) bus will make designated stops at 94 State St. by the Newburyport Library, 19 Federal Street by the Tannery Marketplace, the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, and Plum Island Point. Riders wishing to board the Summer Shuttle along the route need to wave to the bus operator as the bus approaches and be on the same side of the street as the bus.

This summer is chock full of festivals and special events, explained Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday. "The season kicks off with Memorial Day activities that include the visit of the Spanish ship El Galeon to The Custom House Maritime Museum and the Chamber's Spring Fest. Yankee Homecoming is always a busy time, and the Labor Day weekend will be capped off by the WXRV The River's Riverfest, which draws thousands of music lovers to our riverfront," Holaday said. "The Summer Shuttle will be available to ease parking issues."

A free brochure is available at  the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, the City Hall  and at various tourist-friendly locations in Boston, including Logan airport, Cambridgeside Galleria, Copley Place, Faneuil Hall, and the Red Sox Store. Posters promoting the Shuttle will be placed in select MBTA rail stations as well.

"We are thrilled to have this option to get around Newburyport and out to our spectacular beach," said  Ann Ormond, president of the Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce. "Visitors from Boston don't need a car to come to Newburyport for the day. They can hop the commuter rail, then ride the Summer Shuttle to shop and dine downtown, visit cultural and historic sites, or travel to the Plum Island for the beach and birding."

In addition, locals can take advantage of the Summer Shuttle to navigate the busy streets of this historic port city.

Funding for the Summer Shuttle is provided by the MVRTA, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Newburyport. Promotional consideration is provided by WXRV 92.5 The River.

Fares and Route information:

The shuttle will accept the Charlie pass, or a fee of several dollars.

• For those with a Charlie Card, the cost is $1 for adults; 50 cents for seniors, students and persons with disabilities;

• A one-day pass costs $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors, students and persons with disabilities;

• For passengers paying cash, cost is $1.25 for adults and 60 cents for seniors, students and persons with disabilities;

• Children age 5 and under with an adult can ride for free.

The Summer Shuttle round trips start each day at the Newburyport Commuter Rail Station at 10:40 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. For day trip visitors from  Boston, evening MBTA trains to North Station leave the Newburyport Commuter Rail station on Fridays at 6:25 p.m., 7:06 p.m., 8:10 p.m., 9:25 p.m. and 11:03 p.m. On Saturdays and Sundays, the evening MBTA trains to North station leave the Newburyport Commuter Rail station at 5:52 p.m. and 9 p.m.

For information on this service, visit http://www.CityofNewburyport.com and http://www.Facebook.com/NBPTSummerShuttle.