Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority
Encyclopedia
Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) operates a bus transit system of fixed and flexible routes as well as a paratransit service in the Cape Cod
region of Massachusetts
. The CCRTA was created under the provisions of Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws in 1976. Its main hub and base of operations is the Hyannis Transportation Center
on Main Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Scheduled route service (called The Breeze until early 2008) covers most of mainland Cape Cod. During the summer months (late June through early September) service runs seven days a week from approximately 5:30am until midnight on three long distance and five local bus lines. Service is somewhat reduced in the shoulder season (Memorial Day
to late June and Labor Day
to Columbus Day
) and is limited in the off season when four of the eight routes do not run and the remainder only operate 5:30am to 6pm, Monday through Friday with some routes having reduced service on Saturday.
service. Unlike many some transit agencies (such as MBTA's THE Ride) riders do not need to qualify on the basis of disability or income, and any person who resides within CCRTA's service area can utilize the B-Bus. Fares are $3 each way or $1.50 for seniors and disabled, and unlike fixed route service, B-Bus can be scheduled seven days a week, year round.
A day pass is $6, and a 20 ride punch card can be purchased for $30 ($1.50 per ride). Fares and passes are half price for seniors over 60, Medicare
/Medicaid
recipients as well as persons who are permanently disabled or legally blind.
at the Hyannis Transportation Center. Parking costs $6 per calendar day, and when combined with the free shuttle during the summer, it is advertised as a lower-cost alternative for visitors heading to the beach (parking at any Town of Barnstable beach costs up to $15 a day for cars without a resident sticker.) Free parking is also available at or near several bus stops around the Cape, such as Cape Cod Community College
.
Cape Cod
Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...
region of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. The CCRTA was created under the provisions of Chapter 161B of the Massachusetts General Laws in 1976. Its main hub and base of operations is the Hyannis Transportation Center
Hyannis Transportation Center
The Hyannis Transportation Center is a bus and train terminal located off of Main Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts. It is in the southernmost station on the Cape Cod Central Railroad. The Hyannis Train Station is located 250 feet to the south...
on Main Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Scheduled route service (called The Breeze until early 2008) covers most of mainland Cape Cod. During the summer months (late June through early September) service runs seven days a week from approximately 5:30am until midnight on three long distance and five local bus lines. Service is somewhat reduced in the shoulder season (Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
to late June and Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
to Columbus Day
Columbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
) and is limited in the off season when four of the eight routes do not run and the remainder only operate 5:30am to 6pm, Monday through Friday with some routes having reduced service on Saturday.
Service Information
| Route Name | Between... | and | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealine | Hyannis | Main Street, Falmouth | Continues to Woods Hole if the WOOSH isn't running. One morning inbound trip continues to the Sturgis Charter School. |
| H2O | Hyannis | Orleans Stop and Shop or Shaw's | One morning inbound trip continues to the Sturgis Charter School. |
| The Flex | Dennis Port | North Truro | Continues to Bradford Street in Provincetown if The Shuttle isn't running. |
| Villager | Hyannis | Barnstable County Complex | Stops North of Bearser's Way are by request on weekends during the off season. Continues to Barnstable Harbor by request during the summer. |
| WOOSH Trolley | Main Street Famouth | Steamship Authority Docks | |
| Provincetown Shuttle | North Truro | Race Point Beach / First Pilgrims Park | Weekends only during the shoulder season. First Pilgrims Park service is limited |
| Hyannis Area Trolley | Hyannis | Kalmus Beach | Free shuttle serving Veterans Park Beach, Kalmus Beach, and Sea Street Beach as well as various points on Main Street. |
| Runs year round | |
| Runs in the summer and the shoulder season | |
| Runs in the summer only |
The Flex
The Flex is unique in that passengers may board or disembark up to 3/4 mile from the actual route itself. Off-route pickups can be scheduled by calling CCRTA customer service. Higher fares apply when boarding or disembarking off-route.B-Bus
The B-Bus is the authority's Federally mandated door to door paratransitParatransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
service. Unlike many some transit agencies (such as MBTA's THE Ride) riders do not need to qualify on the basis of disability or income, and any person who resides within CCRTA's service area can utilize the B-Bus. Fares are $3 each way or $1.50 for seniors and disabled, and unlike fixed route service, B-Bus can be scheduled seven days a week, year round.
Fares
Distance based fares were eliminated in 2006. A flat fare of $2 per segment applies system wide, except when boarding or disembarking off-route on The Flex, when it is $4. Free transfers are available from the WOOSH to the Sealine and from the Provincetown Shuttle to the Flex but not between other routes.A day pass is $6, and a 20 ride punch card can be purchased for $30 ($1.50 per ride). Fares and passes are half price for seniors over 60, Medicare
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
/Medicaid
Medicaid
Medicaid is the United States health program for certain people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a means-tested program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states. People served by Medicaid are U.S. citizens or legal permanent...
recipients as well as persons who are permanently disabled or legally blind.
Parking
CCRTA operates one paid park and ridePark and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
at the Hyannis Transportation Center. Parking costs $6 per calendar day, and when combined with the free shuttle during the summer, it is advertised as a lower-cost alternative for visitors heading to the beach (parking at any Town of Barnstable beach costs up to $15 a day for cars without a resident sticker.) Free parking is also available at or near several bus stops around the Cape, such as Cape Cod Community College
Cape Cod Community College
Cape Cod Community College, known locally as "4-C's", is a two-year community college located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. Cape Cod Community College was established in 1961, the second institution to open as part of what is now a 15 community college system in Massachusetts...
.
Former routes
- In 2002, the CCRTA ran a two month trial for a loop route around Chatham. The service did not continue beyond the trial due to poor public response.
- The Hyannis Villager which connected the Hyannis Transportation Center with the Barnstable Senior Center, Barnstable High School, and West Main Street was discontinued in 2008 due to falling ridership. This route has been partially replaced by the free Hyannis Area Trolley, although the senior center is not served by the new route.
- A Yarmouth Shuttle also ran up until the 2009 season, primarily serving the motels located on Route 28. The service disappeared from the CCRTA website, route maps, and schedules in early 2010.
External links
- Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority - official Web site
- Information on "The Flex"