Public Transportation Options

[Alligator]

I'm interested in putting together a concise reference of public transportation options to the trail. I know a lot of this information is scattered throughout various AT guides/databooks, but I was hoping to put it together into a simple list. If you could post where to access the transportation from the AT and how far to get to it from the access point that would be helpful. I'm not looking for information on shuttles as ATC keeps a list for that.

Also, links to the bus or train schedules plus the name of the transportation line would also be useful.

Thanks.

[Appalachian Tater]

Wow, I was thinking about doing an article for the reference section as well, but I'm glad you're doing it instead! I will try to contribute.

Martz Trailways provides frequent transportation from Delaware Water Gap (Stroudsburg, PA):

http://www.martztrailways.com/from-stroudsburg.asp

[wilconow]

Wow, I was thinking about doing an article for the reference section as well, but I'm glad you're doing it instead! I will try to contribute.

Martz Trailways provides frequent transportation from Delaware Water Gap (Stroudsburg, PA):

http://www.martztrailways.com/from-stroudsburg.asp

how close does the public transport have to drop off? for example would stops in roanoke,va or frederick,md be in your guide or would it be more like harpers ferry or pawling

[Alligator]

how close does the public transport have to drop off? for example would stops in roanoke,va or frederick,md be in your guide or would it be more like harpers ferry or pawling

I'd suggest not being too constraining at first and see how many we get. Be sure to include the distance though from the station to the trail.

Wow, I was thinking about doing an article for the reference section as well, but I'm glad you're doing it instead! I will try to contribute.

Martz Trailways provides frequent transportation from Delaware Water Gap (Stroudsburg, PA):

http://www.martztrailways.com/from-stroudsburg.asp

That is my intent, thought I'd check for interest first. I will certainly need contributions and welcome suggestions on format.

[Appalachian Tater]

MTA Metro-North provides train service to the Appalachian Trail Stop and to Pawling, New York on the Harlem Line and to Manitou and Garrison on the Hudson Line.

http://as0.mta.info/mnr/schedules/sched_form.cfm

The NY/NJ Trail Conference has a page on public transportation:

http://www.nynjtc.org/trails/no-car.html

There is bus transportation to Bear Mountain Inn by Short Line/Coach USA bus:

http://www.coachusa.com/shortline/ss...d=445183734869

[Appalachian Tater]

Peter Pan bus for Great Barrington & Sheffield, Mass.

http://www.peterpanbus.com/tickets/fares.php

[Alligator]

There is Greyhound service from DWG in NJ to Pottsville, PA. A shuttle can get you from Pottsville to the 501 shelter. This is roughly 20-30 miles away. Alternatively, there is local service to Pine Grove, PA from Pottsville (schedule) along the Schuylkill Transportation System. Pine Grove is listed at 3.7 miles from the 501 shelter.

[Appalachian Tater]

Dartmouth Coach to Hanover, NH:
http://www.concordtrailways.com/imag...E_2006_web.pdf

[wilconow]

hanover/dartmouth from logan airport(boston)

http://www.concordtrailways.com/dartmouth_coach.htm

[Appalachian Tater]

For format, go by access points on the trail in geographic order south to north.

There needs to be a clear warning that schedules change.

[Appalachian Tater]

how close does the public transport have to drop off? for example would stops in roanoke,va or frederick,md be in your guide or would it be more like harpers ferry or pawling

I considered bus to Roanoke and then taxi or hitch to trail myself!

Greyhound crosses the trail many times and they will usually let you off along the highway if it's safe to stop, as will other bus companies. The problem would be getting picked up!

[big_muddy]

Concord Coach from Pinkham Notch/Gorham, NH to Logan Airport

http://www.concordtrailways.com/new_...s_schedule.htm

[wilconow]

harpers ferry by amtrak or marc

http://www.nps.gov/hfc/contact/directions-train.htm

[mriets1]

The MARTA rail system in Atlanta will take you directly from Atlanta Hartsfield Airport up to the furthest Northern station; North Springs Station. This will take about 45 miles off the shuttle ride from the airport to Springer. One way fair on MARTA will cost about $1.75. Just remember that there are two northbound trains; North Springs and Doraville. They alternate every other train. You want to make sure you take the North Springs train and have the shuttle pick you up at the North Springs MARTA station.

[mriets1]

Correction: the distance saved from the Airport to North Springs is closer to 25 miles.

[wilconow]

looking around greyhound's site, they stop in:


duncannon,pa
hamburg,pa
great barrington,ma
rutland, vt
white river jct, vt
gorham,nh
hanover,nh
pinkham notch,nh

of course there are many other towns close to the trail that have stops, but i tried to get the ones closest to the trail

[John S]

See http://www.berkshirerta.com/ for local bus schedules and routes between North Adams and Great Barrington.

The bus stops right on the AT in North Adams and Cheshire, gets within a mile or two of the Rts. 8/9 split in Dalton, a five or so mile hitch on Rt. 20 from the outlet stores in Lee and, in Great Barrington, about two miles north of the AT crossing of Rt 7. Fares are $1.10 per town travelled.

[Cookerhiker]

This NJ Transit timetable includes service from Greenwood Lake to NYC.

[mriets1]

Getting from Atlanta Airport to Gainesville
(I believe Gainesville is the closest Greyhound stop to Springer)
By Greyhound Bus:
Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Greyhound Depot:
Take the MARTA train from the airport to Garnett Station (S1). Go out Garnett Station, turn left to Forsyth St. The bus depot is to your right on Forsyth St.

[dperry]

Amtrak runs pretty frequent service from Philly to Harrisburg (particularly during the week) for $20.00 for a coach seat, which ain't bad. You can of course get to Philly from all up and down the Northeast Corridor, but that will cost more.

Once you get to Harrisburg, there are a couple of buses that go to trail points:

1.) The C bus (Carlisle Local) runs out US 11 to Carlisle (see map and schedule here: http://www.cattransit.com/routepdfs/...isle_Local.pdf). If I remember correctly, the trail crosses over somewhere between points 14 and 15 on the map. This only runs during the week, between about 6:00 am and 7:00 pm, averaging about every two hours during mid-day and about every half-hour during the rush. This drops you off right in the middle of the Cumberland Valley section.

2.) Hegins Valley Lines (see here: http://www.tcrpc-pa.org/SRTP/SRTP_Ch...ins_valley.htm) has a bus which leaves the vicinity of the Harrisburg Station at 4:23 pm and stops at Clarks Ferry at 4:54, which is pretty close to the trail. If you wanted to go into Duncannon, you would have to hitch or walk across the river.

3.) Susquehanna Trailways (see here: http://www.susquehannabus.com/schedu...towilliamsport)
has two buses a day from Harrisburg to Amity Hall, just north of Duncannon. Again, one would have to walk or hitch to Duncannon proper.

4.) R & J Transportation (see here: http://www.tcrpc-pa.org/SRTP/SRTP_Ch...sportation.htm) has a bus leaving Harrisburg around 4:00pm and arriving in Pine Grove about 4:55 pm. Again, a hitch or long walk would be required to get to the trail.

All of these buses stop either at the Harrisburg train station or within a short walk. Alternatively, the ATC lists a whole bunch of shuttlers in the Harrisburg area; it might be simpler just to arrange a ride with one of them.

Regarding New York, this page may also give you some ideas: http://www.amc-ny.org/recreational-a...ationcodes.pdf

As always, verify all schedules before departing.