Shore Transit

Shore Transit

Slogan	We're Going Places Together!
Parent	Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland
Founded	July 2003
Headquarters	799 N. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury, MD (Future) 21901 Comtek Lane, Salisbury, MD
Service area	Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties in Maryland
Service type	bus service
Routes	12
Stops	Over 200
Fleet	45 vehicles
Annual ridership	370,861 (FY 2010)[1]
Director	Riggin Johnson
Website	shoretransit.org

Shore Transit is a public transit agency that provides commuter bus service on the Lower Eastern Shore of the state of Maryland in the United States, serving Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties. The agency comes from the consolidation of Somerset Commuter, Worcester County Ride, and Wicomico Transit. A major transfer point is located in Salisbury, Maryland, where most of the buses gather thirty minutes after every hour.

History

Route 701 of Shore Transit originated as the "Somerset Commuter", a bus service for Somerset County. It began running in 1999 with a fare of $1.00, earning it the nickname "Dollar Bus" among users. This bus route ran between Crisfield and the Centre at Salisbury, connecting to the Princess Anne transfer point and the Salisbury (Calvert Street) transfer point.^{[citation needed]}

In October 2002, the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore was approached by representatives from Somerset Commuter, Wicomico Transit, and Worcester County Ride, with the desire to merge the three public transit systems. In July 2003, Wicomico Transit and Somerset Commuter merged to form Shore Transit, with Worcester County Ride joining in July 2004.^[2]

Shore Transit continues to expand to this day. As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Shore Transit received funding for eight new buses and a new building for its headquarters, which will be stationed near Wor-Wic.^[3]

Services

Shore Transit has twelve bus lines through the three counties. They mostly operate on the major highways in the region: U.S. Route 13, U.S. Route 50, and U.S. Route 113. Shore Transit also has several transfer points or hubs to connect to other buses, either more of its services or to other transit agencies.

Calvert Street

In downtown Salisbury. All but one bus routes stop here at one point during the day, most of which meet thirty minutes after every hour. The Calvert Street hub also provides connections to Delmarva Community Transit, another commuter transit agency serving Dorchester County and is a partner of MUST, a collaborative group of public transit agencies on Maryland's Eastern Shore.^[4]

Ocean City Transfer Point

Serves as a transfer point for Ocean City Transit and Shore Transit during the winter months. Served by Routes 431 and 451.

West Ocean City Park and Ride

Serves as a transfer point for Ocean City Transit and Shore Transit during the summer months. Served by Routes 431 and 451

Princess Anne Transfer Point

Located at Somerset Plaza. Routes 111, 431, 451, 701 South, 701 North, and 703 serve this hub, and the buses usually gather on the hour.

Westover Park and Ride

Serves as a transfer point and is served by Routes 111 South, 431, 451, 701 North, 701 South, and 703.

Commuter buses

Local buses (Salisbury)

Shore Ride

Shore Transit also offers a service to those who are not located close to the fixed routes. The service only allows those whose destinations are outside of a .75 miles (1.21 km) distance of a fixed route stop to use it, and the requests for use must be called in.^[5]

Fares

Fares one-way on any bus currently cost $3.00 and there are no transfer tickets. Senior fares are applicable for those over 62, and they are $1.50 one way. Children under 42 inches (110 cm) ride free.

In July 2008, a seven-day pass was introduced for all riders. This pass is refillable over seven-day periods and can be filled for up to four weeks at a time; each seven-day period costs $25.00.

References