Getting around the South Coast just got a lot easier with the new Wareham to
New Bedford Connection – a shuttle bus service that not only connects the two coastal communities, but all of the towns along the way. And with a little advance planning, you can go from Swansea to the Cape!
In February, the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) and the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority (GATRA) partnered to create the Wareham New Bedford Connection.
With an $83,000 MassDOT Community Transit grant obtained by GATRA, the new route connects SRTA's service area to the west with GATRA's service area to the east.
"It opens opportunities for people," said GATRA administrator Frank Gay. "There are several
senior housing complexes along the route. We'd like to eventually get direct services for those areas, too."
Gay said the Connection is a one-year pilot project that addressed a need identified in both communities to get people to medical services, State offices such as the Social Security Administration, shopping centers in the Greater New Bedford area, and medical services and shopping in Wareham. SRTA operates the shuttle buses since much of the route is in its service area.
"We're happy to be working with GATRA to serve what was identified as a need in the community," said Mary Ellen DeFrias, SRTA grant administrator. "We hope this is one of many partnerships in the future."
The Scenic Route
One advantage to taking the Connection is being able to watch the scenery instead of focusing on the road or traffic. It's amazing how much you miss when you're driving.
The Connection has scheduled stops at the SouthCoast Health Center in Fairhaven, then on Route 6 at North Road in Mattapoisett, Front Street/Route 105 in Marion, and Shaw's Plaza, the Multiservice Center (Town Hall/Senior Center), and Cranberry Plaza in Wareham.
Cranberry Plaza was chosen because it acts as the hub for GATRA's links to Onset Pier, Swift's Beach, the Lakeville train connector, and the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA)'s Bourne Run to Mashpee Commons.
Also, the Connection will make stops along the way if requested. And if you want to board outside of a stop, just wave the shuttle down.
For now, the Connection runs Monday through Wednesday with round trips leaving New Bedford at 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Trips from Wareham going west leave at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
"We set up the schedule so that you can get to Bourne on the Cape or pick up the GATRA Lakeville link to get to the MBTA train station," said DeFrias.
Getting to Onset Village, Buzzards Bay Main Street, and Bourne Main Street on the GATRA Link 1 is a snap using any of the scheduled Wareham-New Bedford Connection trips. Link 1 also can be used to get to the Cape Cod Canal.
Likewise, catch the GATRA Link 4 to the Mill Pond area and the stores at Wareham Crossing without a hitch in the morning. Coming back in the afternoon, the buses run just a tad earlier than the Connection, arriving at Cranberry Plaza well before it arrives. However there are several fast food restaurants in the area to get a cup of coffee while you wait.
Those wishing to catch the T out of Lakeville (at least until New Bedford gets its own station) need to take the 7:30 a.m. shuttle and catch the GATRA Wareham/Middleborough/Lakeville Connector to make the 9:38 a.m. train to Boston. On the return, only the Boston train arriving at Lakeville at 3:15 p.m. will get you back to the Cranberry Plaza in time for the last shuttle that leaves at 5 p.m.
It may seem time-consuming, but compared to a $25 roundtrip ticket per person from New Bedford to Boston, the $2.50 fare per person plus train fare, or $1.75 for seniors over 60 plus train fare, is worth it.
The Cape
If the long drive out to the Cape and back is too much for you or your car, you can park and ride. Pick up a picnic lunch at one of the grocery stores on the route, leave your car, and wave for the shuttle. Just remember to be on the side of the road in the direction that you are going for it to stop.
From Cranberry Plaza in Wareham, take CCRTA's Bourne Run to Mashpee Commons. Once there, you can connect to CCRTA'S other "runs" to visit Woods Hole Science Center, Osterville, and the Cape Cod Mall in Barnstable.
Points West
One of the benefits of making Connections is being able to visit specialty shops and museums outside of your usual haunts without putting miles on your car and for a fraction of what it would cost in gas to get there.
New Bedford is always teeming with art shows, the Whaling Museum has changing exhibits, and touring the historic district with the Whaling National Park Service "ladies" is a great way to explore New Bedford's history.
Plus, the Intercity bus route connects New Bedford to Fall River landmarks. Walk around historic Fall River or take a bus to Battleship Cove, the Lizzie Borden House Museum, and the new Fall River bike/walking path.
You can make your own itinerary from online schedules at GATRA.org, SRTABus.com, and CCRTA.org.
The SRTA website news link has helpful suggestions to frequently asked questions about each community. This is the first joint venture for two regional transit systems, and riders on one may not be familiar with schedules, fares, or routes on the other.
Some hints on taking a Connection day-trip:
The Connection fare is a $1.50 cash fare each time you board – half price for seniors ages sixty and up, students, and the disabled. Children under six ride free.
Other fares in each service area differ, but all offer discounts for the above groups.
Day passes can be purchased on buses, so if you're planning on doing sightseeing, this will save you from paying another fare every time you get on, or having to carry exact change, as all fares require exact change.
And here's the best part: it's green. Using the Connections emits the least amount of greenhouse gases per road mile travelled.
So plan your trip, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
