Salem To Use $1.3 Million On Public Shuttle, Bike Share Programs

SALEM, MA — Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll's efforts to make the city more of a "car-free" and "car-light" community will get a boost through the allocation of close to $1.3 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding for bicycle and ride-sharing programs, as well as a conceptual design for a proposed South Salem commuter rail station.

Driscoll said on Monday that the money will be directed to supporting alternative transportation measures aimed to reduce traffic congestion, make roadways safer and lessening Salem's carbon footprint.

"Salem has long been on the forefront of pioneering and piloting new ways to reduce the number of private passenger vehicles on our roads," Driscoll said. "From our public ferry to our comprehensive bike infrastructure, and from our innovative on-demand shuttle to our extensive bike and car share programs, our goal is to make it easy for residents and visitors alike to get around Salem car-free or car-light."

"By leveraging these federal recovery funds for these efforts, we're able to move even closer to that goal."

The city will put $400,000 toward the existing Salem Skipper on-demand public shuttle, $363,787 toward expanding the Bluebikes bicycle-sharing program with an additional 44 bikes, and $93,000 toward the conceptual design phase for the proposed South Salem station.

Additional federal funds bring the commitment to $465,000 toward bringing a second commuter rail station to the city.

"The Salem Partnership is pleased to partner with the City of Salem, Salem State University, and Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital on the South Salem Commuter Rail Stop Project," said Beth Debski, Executive Director of the Salem Partnership, which is helping lead the project effort. "By offering additional public transit alternatives and connecting that resource with adjacent housing and the community's two largest employers — Salem State University and Mass General Brigham-Salem Hospital — we can help make a critical change to advance a more sustainable city, in conjunction with significant and ancillary housing and economic benefits."

Another $50,000 will also go toward infrastructure to implement the city's Bicycle Master Plan.

"I am excited these new investments in our bicycling infrastructure will support another way for Salem residents, students, workforce, and visitors to travel through the city," Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Chair John Wathne said. "It expands Salem's path network and promotes another means for patrons to reach local shops and restaurants without being constrained by auto congestion and limited parking."

(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.)