Beginning Monday airline passengers can now catch a bus from Concord to the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport for $4 each way.
The buses will run between Concord and the airport twelve times each day beginning at 3:55 a.m. and going through 12:45 a.m. The five-day-a-week shuttle is part of a one-year trial that’s a joint effort between The Department of Transportation, the Manchester Airport and lawmakers. It’s an effort to boost travel through the airport and to cut parking costs.
Senators David Boutin and Sylvia Larsen both advocated for the bus line. Boutin says that he hopes the bus route will help keep airline travel profits within the state.
“It’s good for the economy, it’s good for the airport and it’s a good alternative transportation for folks in the greater Concord area.”
On Monday afternoon, one passenger got off on the 11:25 a.m. bus. Manchester Authority bus driver, Edib Karic, says that although few passengers have taken the line so far, the bus has the potential to be a valuable asset to the community.
“I think it’s a good idea because I see many people looking for a good connection between Manchester and Concord. You know the economy is still slow and I think it is helping people out.”
The New Hampshire planning commission will conduct a feasibility study in order to assess the service needs throughout the year in hopes of extending the bus line past it’s one year trial run.
