Danvers Routes Added To Salem Skipper Ridesharing Service This Spring

SALEM, MA — Service on the Salem Skipper — a low-cost minibus ridesharing service introduced in the Witch City in December 2020 — is expanding to Beverly and Danvers as part of a pilot program starting this spring.

In Danvers, the on-demand public transportation will allow for rides to downtown, the Liberty Tree Mall, North Shore Medical Center, Cherry Hill Business Park, Beth Israel Health Center and North Shore Community College, with connection locations in Beverly and Salem, including the commuter rail stops to Boston.

This will be the first public transportation in Danvers since the MBTA suspended bus service in 2022.

Riders can book a ride using a mobile app or by calling in ahead of time

Most passengers will walk less than a block or two to their ride. The Skipper will provide those with accessibility needs with door-to-door service.

From Danvers, residents can ride across the entire service area Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rides cost $2 each, or $1 for senior citizens, teens (13+), and people with disabilities. The person booking the ride can bring up to two additional passengers — each additional friend costs $1 extra.

"The town looks forward to partnering with Salem and Beverly to launch this proven ride-share service for the benefit of our residents and businesses, and those across our subregion," Town Manager Steve Bartha said. "This service provides a critical connection across the North Shore and fills a gap in existing public transportation services."

Former Salem Mayor and current Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said in 2022 that she would direct $400,000 of its federal American Recovery Plan Act funding toward expanding the Salem Skipper program with more vehicles and more expansive routes.

That was part of $1.3 million in ARPA funds dedicated to car-alternative transportation initiatives in the city.

The expansion to Danvers is a two-year pilot program.

The exact date of the start of the service was not released but is planned for later this spring.

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