Manchester Transit Authority, together with The Nature Conservancy in New Hampshire, is launching Transit to Trails, a pilot program providing transportation to walking and hiking trails, state parks and water destinations to Manchester residents utilizing the city bus service for $5: the price of a bus ticket.

Transit to Trails is a seasonal service that will operate on the first Saturday of each month beginning May 7 through September 3, 2022. Riders can purchase an excursion pass at Veteran’s Park the day of the event, board the bus and be transported to outdoor spaces within 30 minutes of the heart of the city.

NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center is the first stop! Transit to Trails will visit the Center on Saturday, May 7, and we will have the Center opened for this special day from 9am-5pm, with access to the Reptile Room, Nature Store, and bathrooms. Trails and gardens are open dawn to dusk. Early birds who arrive to the Center before 11am will have access to the Nature Interpreted Art Exhibition.

Additional Transit to Trails locations this summer include Bear Brook State Park on June 4, the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Elm Brook Park on July 2, Pawtuckaway State Park on August 6, and Fox State Forest on September 3. On those mornings, riders can purchase excursion passes for $5 each (cash or credit) at Veteran’s Park beginning at 8:30am. Riders should note that some New Hampshire State Park locations have entry fees, which are not included in the bus fare. Buses will depart the park at 9:00am, 11:00am and 1:00pm. Buses returning to Veteran’s Park will depart at 12:00pm, 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

For more information on the Transit to Trails program, visit www.mtabus.org.