Expanded Beverly Shuttle Bus Service Begins Monday

BEVERLY, MA — The Yellow Line is expanding in Beverly.

The Beverly Commuter Shuttle Bus on Monday will begin an expanded route that includes stops at all Beverly Housing Authority locations, senior housing facilities and several more shopping destinations. Beverly Farms will be cut out of the new route because of what city officials called "very limited ridership and significant added mileage."

The cost is 50 cents per trip and 25 cents for seniors age 60 or older and those with disabilities. Monthly passes are $8.

The expanded route is an effort to provide transportation to more residents to essential services and reduce traffic congestion. Planning Director Darlene Wynne, City Councilor Todd Rotondo and Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness Director Abu Tobbin worked with the Cape Ann Transit Authority on the changes for the past year.

"Many of our residents rely on the shuttle to grocery shop, go to work, and go to medical appointments," Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill said. "This route change will help greatly by providing neighborhoods that previously have not been served access to affordable groceries and medical providers."

The new route adds stops in Apple Village at the end of Trask Lane, the housing facilities, Market Basket in Danvers, Shaw's in North Beverly and the new North Shore Crossing Plaza, along with previous shopping destinations.

Other stops include the Beverly Depot, Downtown Beverly, Cummings Center and Beverly Hospital. Residents can flag down a bus to stop at any point along the route or call to arrange for a pickup at a location along the route.

"The Cape Ann Transportation Authority is looking forward to starting the new Beverly Shuttle route for the city of Beverly," CATA Administrator Felicia Webb said. "The new route will meet the needs of customers by continuing to serve key destinations while adding new destinations and services to transit-dependent populations."

The shuttle is accessible with passes and maps available at Beverly City Hall.

The city of Beverly and the MBTA's Suburban Bus Program subsidize the service.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)