NEW BEDFORD — Peter Pan Bus Lines will begin running buses from New Bedford to Boston to replace the canceled DATTCO commuter buses.
The company decided to offer replacement service at the request of MassDOT and local representatives, said Peter Pan CEO Peter A. Picknelly.
“We’re trying to step up to the plate so people aren’t stranded without service,” Picknelly said.
MassDOT had been in talks with state lawmakers and city officials to find a solution after DATTCO abruptly canceled its SouthCoast-Boston Express buses last month, citing declining ridership. Only about 35 to 65 people were riding the bus every day, down from about 200 before the pandemic.
DATTCO service is scheduled to end on Sunday and the Peter Pan buses will start on Tuesday after the Patriots Day holiday. There will be fewer buses, but more stops. Peter Pan will run one bus to Boston in the morning and another back to New Bedford in the afternoon, and it will only run on weekdays. But Peter Pan will add stops in Fall River and at Logan Airport, which were not on the DATTCO line.
Peter Pan bus schedule starting Tuesday, April 19
Northbound:
- Fall River 6:35 a.m.
- New Bedford 7:00 a.m.
- Taunton/Galleria 7:30 a.m.
- South Station 8:30 a.m.
- Logan Airport 8:45 a.m.
Southbound:
- Logan Airport 4:00 p.m.
- South Station 4:30 p.m.
- Taunton/Galleria 5:15 p.m.
- New Bedford 5:45 p.m..
- Fall River 6:10 p.m.
“It’s really the best solution,” said State Rep. Tony Cabral. “It’s great news.”
Cabral said he has received a petition from 76 riders who wanted the service reinstated.
Fares will be the same as they were with DATTCO, though the company said that could change.
There could also be more buses in the future, depending on ridership. The company isn’t receiving any subsidy from MassDOT.
“We’re hopeful that by adding Fall River and Logan Airport that we can make a go of it,” Picknelly said. “If passengers come out and support us, then our plan is to add more service in the beginning of May.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on April 13, 2023, to add more information, including the bus schedule.
Email reporter Grace Ferguson at gferguson@newbedfordlight.org.
More stories by Grace Ferguson
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