Cape Ann buses are free through the end of the year. Here is how to ride.

Riding a regular CATA bus on Cape Ann costs nothing right now, and it will stay that way through the end of the year.

The Cape Ann Transportation Authority, called CATA, extended free rides through Dec. 31, 2026. The state Legislature pays for it through grants from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, CATA said.

What is free

• All of CATA's year round bus routes in Gloucester and Rockport
• Senior Dial-a-Ride, for people 60 and older
• ADA Paratransit, for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular bus
• The Ipswich Medical Bus and rides to dialysis
• The Beverly Shuttle and the Mall Bus

CATA's Dial-a-Ride and ADA pages go further. They say those rides stay free through Dec. 31, 2027.

What is not free

CATA On Demand, the app based ride inside Gloucester and Rockport, still costs $2 a ride.

The MBTA train is not part of the deal either. A one way ticket to Boston costs $12.25 from Rockport, $11 from Gloucester or West Gloucester, and $10.50 from Manchester. Seniors, students and people with disabilities can pay a reduced fare, about half price. On weekends, a $10 Weekend Pass covers unlimited train rides on Saturday and Sunday.

No CATA buses on Monday

Monday, Oct. 12, is Columbus Day. CATA's schedule shows no regular bus service that day, and On Demand lists it as a holiday. Trains still run. City and town offices are also closed; see our list of October office closings.

Need a ride to a big event?

Rockport's Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 17, has a free CATA shuttle from 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. It links free parking at Blue Gate Meadow with downtown, the beaches and the train station. Read more about Harvest Fest.

Train and bus times in one place

Train times live on the MBTA website, and bus times live on CATA's. The Cape Ann Current put them together in a free tool called Getting around Cape Ann. You can find it under Community in the menu.

With it, you can:

• Plan a trip from any train station or bus stop, on any day and time
• See the next trains from Rockport, Gloucester, West Gloucester and Manchester
• Tap a bus route on the map to see its stops and next bus
• Answer three questions to find out if you qualify for Dial-a-Ride or ADA rides
• Call a local taxi with one tap
• Save a trip, add a reminder to your calendar or buy a train ticket

The times come from the schedule files the MBTA and CATA publish. We check for new ones every day.

Questions about a ride? Call CATA at 978-283-7916.