Did you know that you don’t need a car to get to almost anywhere you need to on Cape Cod?
The Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority’s motto is “We’re going your way,” and its vans and buses can take you to most main destinations on the Cape. It offers free or low-cost transportation that includes on-demand taxi-type service, scheduled rides, fixed routes across the Cape, trips to Boston hospitals, special transport for disabled residents and extra shuttles and trolleys during the summer.
The Transit Authority has been offering travel training sessions across the Cape at libraries, senior centers, assistant living complexes, and schools for several months led by travel trainer Cristalyn Searles. In a one-hour session on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at Sandwich Public Library, Searles described the options to nine seniors present along with a short video, and handouts and she answered individual questions.
What are the six main routes for service?
The six fixed routes across the Cape: Sealine, from Hyannis Transportation Center to Woods Hole; the H20, from Hyannis to Orleans; Bourne Run, from Bourne to Mashpee; Sandwich Line, from Sandwich to Hyannis; Barnstable Villager, from Hyannis to Barnstable Village; Hyannis Crosstown, from BJ’s Wholesale Club to Hyannis Conference Center; Flex and Flex Off-Route, from Orleans to Provincetown.
The fixed routes operate six days a week during fall, winter and spring and seven days a week during the summer season and they are now all free. The buses can be flagged down to stop anywhere along their routes as well as boarding at fixed stops. All routes and stops can be seen on the website at capecodrta.org.
Can you request specific stops along those routes?
Yes. Stops include senior centers, medical facilities, YMCA, schools, courthouses, apartment complexes and certain motels and inns, the Gallo Ice Arena and Cape Cod Military Support Foundation. To schedule request stops, call 800-352-7155.
What is DART – Dial-A-Ride Transportation?
The smaller DART buses provide door-to-door rides by appointment to all Cape Cod residents and visitors for any purpose year-round. They run six days a week across all 15 towns with limited service on Sunday, and hours vary by town. Reservations must be made by 12 p.m. the weekday before a trip by calling the Transit Authority Call Center at 800-352-7155 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Cost for one ride is $3 for adults and youth, $1.50 for seniors and disabled persons and children under 5 are free. Fifteen-ride passes are available.
What is SmartDART?
SmartDART is an app based, on-demand ride-hail service that is now offered across all of Cape Cod. A person needs a smart phone app to use the service for a $3 cashless fare. The hours of operation are Monday to Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Barnstable, Dennis, Falmouth, Sandwich and Yarmouth and Monday to Friday, 8:30 am. to 4:30 p.m., in the 10 other towns. These vans can take you to fixed routes also. Dispatchers can assist with the app or book over the phone by calling 508-418-3278. Passengers must be ready for pickup at the time of booking as the van may arrive within 15 minutes.
What is the Boston hospital transportation?
This service provides accessible transportation directly from Cape Cod to all major hospitals in the Boston area by reservation. Medical appointments must be Monday through Thursday, no holidays, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The bus leaves Boston at 3 p.m. and pickups are from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. at locations in Wellfleet, Eastham, Orleans, Harwich, Barnstable and Sagamore. Reservations must be made no later than 11 a.m. the day before an appointment by calling 800-352-7155. Cost is $15 one way or $30 round trip.
The door-to-door shared-ride service is for qualified individuals unable to use the fixed route buses. An application is necessary by calling the Transit Authority administrative offices at 508-775-8504, ext. 200 or email a request to info@capecodrta.org.
What are the summer transportation options?
The Whoosh Trolley goes from the Falmouth Mall to Woods Hole and also connects passengers to the Sealine. The Hyannis Trolley runs through downtown Hyannis to Barnstable Harbor. The Provincetown-North Truro Shuttle operates seven days a week and goes to Race Point and the Province Lands Visitor Center. The Cape Flyer train offers rides between Boston to the Cape Friday, Saturday and Sunday: it stops in Buzzards Bay, Bourne and Hyannis, and a bus from the station in Bourne goes to Falmouth.
Is there help with bicycles and wheelchairs?
Yes. Drivers will get off the bus to help.
What about climbing steps to board the bus?
Fixed route buses drop down to ground level to provide easy access.
Can you get help planning a trip?
Yes. You can use the Plan Your Trip guide on the website, capecodrta.org, or call 800-352-7155.
Can you get one-on-one travel training?
Yes. Searles will meet with a person anytime.
Susan Vaughn writes about transportation and other local community issues affecting Cape Cod residents and visitors. She can be reached at svaughn@capecodonline.com.
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