Salem Skipper Shuttle Gets Temporary Reprieve Through End Of Summer

SALEM, MA — The Salem Skipper's run as a low-cost shuttle service in the Witch City will get at least a temporary extension with city officials saying on Tuesday that the program — which was set to end in August — will continue through Sept. 30.

The long-term future of the program remains in doubt, however, as officials look for sustainable funding sources after the ones used to launch the service dried up in recent years.

"The Salem Skipper has been an important local transportation service since its launch, demonstrating that on-demand rideshare is a viable and beneficial program," Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. "Like many here in Salem, I want to see this type of service remain in place, permanently.

"Staff have been working to develop plans on how to more sustainably operate the service."

Officials said the cost of the service is up to $3 million per year, with the city subsidizing ridership up to 90 percent of the rides — which cost riders between $1 and $2.

The subsidies were paid for by municipal income from cannabis sales when the Skipper first launched in 2020. Officials said that state law changes took away that funding in 2022 and, since then, the Skipper has been funded through grants and one-time state and federal funding sources.

When launched, then-Mayor Kim Driscoll lauded the service as part of Salem's quest to become a "vehicle-light" committee.

Starting July 1, service will end to Beverly and Danvers, as well as parts of Vinnin Square not within Salem's border.

Service will also end at 9 p.m. and not be available on Sunday.

City staff continue to work to identify ongoing sources of funding and will do so even after the service concludes in September, Pangallo said, but at least a temporary suspension of that service is expected when the contract with Via to operate the service concludes on Sept. 30.

"While the current version of the Skipper will end in September with the expiration of funding and the current contract with Via, City staff will continue to work to — hopefully — put us in a position to be able to issue a new RFP for a future contract with ongoing, sustainable funding," Pangallo said. "It may not happen immediately, but we see the value of the Skipper and want to do what we can to keep this type of transportation option available here in our community."