Visitors choose or not to comply with the requirement, perhaps influenced by the amount of effort needed to do so. Site improvements will retain the character, aesthetics, and natural and cultural resources of the site. The Island Explorer is a long-running success, carrying millions of passengers since its inception and helping hikers enjoy car-free trips in Acadia. Check in at the visitors booth where you can buy the Park Entrance Pass. . Number 2 - St George/Calivigny/Westerhall/Grenville. bren61, August 9 in Canada/New England. Thanks Meadowlander! What option(s) you choose, it would likely be best to print out copies of the full timetables to bring with you. I cannot say at what locations park stamps (presumably for your park "passport") are available. Because Acadia was granted land, the roads and access points can't all be gated as there are far too many of them. Minimize the distractions that are caused by maps with routes that Bus 1, Bar Harbor Road, and Bus 9, Trenton, CC Help Jenn The Island Explorer webpage makes no mention of it and specifically states "The Island Explorer is not Acadia National Park." Your perceptions may differ from mine. As use of the Island Explorer has expanded, additional routes have been developed. I suppose it would make sense that NPS supports the Island Explorer, but they certainly make efforts to keep them separate. Downeast Transportation, Inc. PO Box 914 Ellsworth, ME 04605 It is a 40-minute bus loop, departing Southwest Harbor hourly at 20 minutes past the hour in the morning, through 11:20 a.m., and at 50 minutes past the hour in the afternoon from 12:50 p.m. onward. Yes, the order of sites enumerated is practicable and most efficient. If you desire to purchase a park pass, then you can do so from the National Park Service building on the Village Green. Reliance on route 1 to reach the visitor center is an inefficient time-waster, since it goes in the "wrong direction." According to NPS.gov you can also buy at the Jordan Pond Gift Shop (third party), which is a little bit out of order, but as long as you buy your pass, they don't care when during the day you do so. I highly recommend using this transportation while in the park!. 3.4 out of 5 stars 18. This is our 1st Canada/New England Cruise, so I'm sure I'll be on here asking more questions about other ports too. The Island Explorer is the popular visitor shuttle bus system that transports Acadia National Park visitors all over the Mount Desert Island and Schoodic Peninsula sections of Acadia. Year-round buses offer new ways to save Downeast operates commuter buses to Bar Harbor from Bangor, Brewer, Franklin, Milbridge, and Ellsworth. See the timetable pages Thank you! Getting around Acadia National Park is easy when you ride the free Island Explorer shuttle bus system.Ten bus routes link hotels, inns, and campgrounds on Mount Desert Island and the mainland at Ellsworth and Trenton to destinations throughout the park and neighboring towns and villages, including Bar Harbor, Northwest Harbor, and Southwest Harbor. Your Explorer bus meets the return ferry to Downtown Auckland. For more information or directions, call 207-288-3338, ext. Hopefully someone who has used IE will contribute. Here are the places we would like to stop: Visitor Ctr, Otter Cliffs, Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, Jordon Pond, Bubble Pond, (would like to stop at Schoodic Point, but I doubt there will be time). Is Thunder Hole near Sand Beach or do we have to be on bus 3 for that? Routes 3 & 4 have a common stop at 'Sand Beach'. 2022 Friends of Acadia. But with the caveats that, (1) between Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Otter Cliffs, both routes 3 and 4 provide service, and you can board whichever bus route comes first, and (2) between Jordan Pond, Bubble Pond, and the visitor center, both routes 4 and 5 provide service, and you can board whichever bus route comes first. Imagine everyone in Bar Harbor having to drive or hire a taxi. From Jordan Pond you could either (1) return to the Village Green on route 6, or (2) continue onward using either route 4 or route 5 to the visitor center at Hulls Cove (these routes operate frequently, on average about every 12 minutes for the 20-minute ride), then change to route 1 from the visitor center back to the Village Green (this route is hourly, departing the visitor center at 10 minutes past the hour, for the 10 minute trip to the Village Green). Take a short walk to Salmon bay along the coastline to relax at our favourite beach. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952022 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Bus Routes All routes are circular. 2. I know some are saying about walking from Sand beach to TH & OC, but my husband will have his portable O2 with him and although he can do some walking, I don't want to wear him out on a long walk. From the National Park Service: "The Senior Passes admit pass owner/s and passengers in a noncommercial vehicle at per-vehicle fee areas and pass owner plus three adults, not to exceed four adults, where per-person fees are charged." We aren't cruising till Sept 30th and our visit in Bar Harbor is on Sunday, October 3rd, so I hope to hear from you before then. That's what we are planning to do for our Bar Harbor port day. Due to driver shortages, fall schedules for some routes have changed. In other words, park pass payment doesn't pay for the Island Explorer. I should be able to give you an update when I return. water, etc. Are you certain about that? This is useful when . Written by local Perth Seniors / over 55 reviewers. Stops Stops for:None Clear Filter: None Clear Trip Planner Set Alert Route: Direction: Stop: Departuresbetween: Notify me: mins before bus departs Notify me every: mins during this interval Notify me by: Email Text Message Email: My SubscriptionsRecurring Alert Public Service Messages 0 All MessagesSelected RoutesMy Routes Have lunch here by the lake. In May the cruise ship indicated we should return 60 minutes not the usual 30 minutes prior to sail away. Find more pointers on riding the Island Explorer: Be an Island Explorer Pro. Thanks! Fun to ride. -Island Explorer passenger from Texas, "Using the bus really helped us to see and Learn the Basics When you're determining what thickness of countertop you want for your project, the first step is to see what's available to you. As for Island Explorer, the routes were terrific until Covid. Our hop-on-hop-off shuttle bus makes its way around the island to 19 different stops. I like your bus service." https://www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/fees.htm. I have yet to use Island Explorer but intended to next month. Routes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 all begin at the Village Green, and are much more conveniently located for the cruise passenger. We will stop at the Village Green at the info center to get our pass as that seems like it will be more convenient. I was in Bar Harbor in May & will return in September. The buses run from June 23rd to Indigenous Peoples' Day each year with service starting just before Memorial Day on the Schoodic Peninsula. Happy drivers." Thank you for the ocean path trail link. Phone: 207-288-3340 | 800-625-0321 Hike the Ocean Path back to Sand Beach, visiting Thunder Hole on the way. 5 stars 4 stars 2 stars Search reviews Nicole F. Boston, MA 188 121 109 7/22/2022 Easy, cheap, and convenient way to your your way through bar harbor village and the national park of Acadia. For park visitors not using an automobile, it really amounts to an honor system. The project also includes publishing a unified design guide for all Island Explorer bus stops in the park, and similar suggestions for fixtures at stops in villages and commercial locations where the Explorer stops. . Plan the perfect day with help from the onboard host, then see the things that interest you most, choosing from 8 stops near vineyards, galleries, beaches, and trailheads. This is my first time at Acadia too. Visiting the sites is definitely our priority over a restaurant. Would it make any sense to allow all occupants of a motor vehicle, where a senior pass holder is among the occupants, but to demand fees to be paid if those same individuals were not in an automobile? Once at Sand Beach, both routes 3 and 4 continue onward to Thunder Hole and Otter Cliffs, so you can simply take whichever bus comes first indifferently. I also think they are reasonable in issuing parking tickets with instructions on how to buy a park pass and cancel the ticket. If there is enough time, catch Bus #4 and go to Jordon Pond, Bubble Pond & the Visitor Center. AFTER-HOURS SENTRY MANAGEMENT ANSWERING. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Route 7 will take you from the Village Green out to Southwest Harbor, a pleasant small New England community. Listen to commentary and local tips by on board island host. If you are on a bus and want to get off at a place other than a designated stop, please inform the driver when you board the bus. Perhaps your husband can make it to Thunder Hole which is .07 mile from the start of the Ocean Path trail. vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, We parked at the visitors center and had a quick pleasant ride to some great hiking spots! The Ocean Path trail at Sand Beach takes you to Thunder Hole & Otter Point. https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/hike-ocean-path-trail.htm. downloadable PDF The page mentions the policy " Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode ", while in the latest ADMX file the policy is named " Allow UNCONFIGURED sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode " #306. Downeast Transportation, Inc. Shuttle schedules and routes can be found at ExporeAcadia.com Tagged Things-to-Do 98 Eden Street Bar Harbor, Maine 04609 Local: 207.288.3500 Toll-Free: The large widows make it easy to enjoy the . for more detailed information. Route 4 operates very frequently, and completely circumnavigates the park road; route 5 provides a quick service to and from Jordan Pond. This main park road is one-way, so you'll want to visit these locations in the order I have listed them in the prior sentence. The Island Explorer is a fare-free, seasonal, propane-powered bus system that runs through Acadia National Park and its surrounding gateway communities. Bicycle Express Operates June 23 through September 30. The goals of the project are to accommodate and encourage increased usage of the Explorer bus system at congested sites, improve safety, inter-modal traffic flow and way-finding. From the IE website bus 1 does stop at the VC from VG. The Island Explorer features bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Read more from $76.43 per adult Check availability Lowest price guarantee Free cancellation Ages 0-99 Duration: 6h In 2021, this building was closed. You could take bus 3 from VG to Sand Beach, since you want to go there and Otter Cliffs, then take bus 4 to Jordan Pond. Take advantage of the hop on hop off bus service to explore the island and experience pristine beaches, rugged coastlines and natural wildlife. First departure from Matiatia off the 9am ferry. I cannot give too much good qualitative advice as to specific destinations--others might better respond to those concerns--but I can give some logistical advice. An official form of the United States government. The second distribution had no line, received a 9:30 tender time. Salmon Bay Rottnest Island- Stop 3 Once finished at Parkers Point head back up to the main road. Unless the time you have at Bar Harbor is lengthy, it will likely be a challenge to schedule in a ferry trip in addition to the main park travel. You are correct about the actual limited touring hours. An intercept lot to reduce traffic congestion in Bar Harbor. No split billing, payment needs to be made upon collection. Visible from Mission Bay to Cheltenham Beach, this 600 year old volcano boasts a unique landscape of rugged lava crops, lush native bush and sandy coves. Airport Taxi Driving Game - Airport Smart Taxi Pro Parking Simulator . I do agree that communication of what pedestrians are supposed to do could be better. ".In effect, there are two distinct starting points for Island Explorer bus routes. What is at the visitor center that it would be important for us to stop there at the beginning as opposed to the end? NORTHERN EXPLORER Operating days: Northbound (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) | Southbound (Monday, Thursday & Saturday) TRANZ ALPINE Operating days: 14 JAN 22 - 24 DEC 22 Friday to Monday | 26 DEC 22 - 30 APRIL 23 7 days a week | 28 APRIL 2023 - 28 SEPT 2023 Friday to Monday | 29 SEPT 2023 - 6 MAY 2024 7 days a week | 10 MAY 2024 - 30 JUNE . We'd like to ride the bus for some more exploration, and overall are on the NCL Breakaway in late September. View Waiheke Island Explorer info Attraction Information Nearest Stop Stop 1 is closest to Downtown Ferry Terminal Location Waiheke Island Waiheke Island Combo Add a day trip to beautiful Waiheke Island to your Auckland Explorer Bus pass and save! As one person explained on another board: "If you, or your child, is asked if they have purchased a park pass, just explain. I thought I would just get my senior pass the day of just in case the weather is bad or we miss that port for some reason so that is the main reason for the visitor center. National Park Service. (One such example is Isle Royale National Park, where the NPS itself operates the Ranger III, a vessel that provides transportation between the park and Houghton, Michigan.). The old practice was to ticket cars without a pass and allow the driver to buy a pass to cancel the ticket. NORTHERN EXPLORER Operating days: Northbound (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) | Southbound (Monday, Thursday & Saturday) TRANZ ALPINE Operating days: 14 JAN 22 - 24 DEC 22 Friday to Monday | 26 DEC 22 - 30 APRIL 23 7 days a week | 28 APRIL 2023 - 28 SEPT 2023 Friday to Monday | 29 SEPT 2023 - 6 MAY 2024 7 days a week | 10 MAY 2024 - 30 JUNE . Maybe when you get back you can get back to me & let me know how the IE worked out for you. I do have another question about Thunder Hole & Otter Cliff. It will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 10, in the administration building at park headquarters, located on the Eagle Lake Road in Bar Harbor. As stated by others above, I also don't recommend taking the #1 bus to the Visitor Center from the Village Green as that is in the wrong direction of the main loop. so that riders can determine which route or routes can get them to Your Explorer bus meets the return ferry to Downtown Auckland. Island Explorer buses are fare-free, wheelchair-accessible, and can carry four to six bicycles per bus. Explore the island at your own pace, hop off at one of the 16 stops or stay on for a scenic 1.5 hour loop tour of the island. I would appreciate any other helpful info that I may have forgot to ask. Take Island Explorer Bus #3 (leaves every half hour beginning at 9 am from the Village Green) to Thunder Hole. Bean), and municipalities. We would have liked to tried the Lunch at West Street Cafe, but I don't think there will be time. Then continue on route 4 to Sand Beach and all the remaining stops as enumerated above. Dec 15, 2018. (We are not required to buy both, but it feels weird not having anything when walking into the park since the vehicle pass is in Bar Harbor). Walk up Main St. to the Village Green. As much as I would love to do it, I don't think my husband can do the 4.4mile trek up & back, if there was a way to just hike there and be picked up and not have to hike back, I would consider it, but he has lung issues and will have his portable O2 with him. Best way to get around. Even though my husband has a Lifetime pass, I will be sure to stop and get a pass for me to board the bus, I wouldn't think of trying to cheat, lol! NORTHERN EXPLORER Operating days: Northbound (Wednesday, Friday & Sunday) | Southbound (Monday, Thursday & Saturday) TRANZ ALPINE Operating days: 14 JAN 22 - 24 DEC 22 Friday to Monday | 26 DEC 22 - 30 APRIL 23 7 days a week | 28 APRIL 2023 - 28 SEPT 2023 Friday to Monday | 29 SEPT 2023 - 6 MAY 2024 7 days a week | 10 MAY 2024 - 30 JUNE . Finally, use route 1 from the Hulls Cove Visitor Center to return to the Village Green. This full-day Waiheke Island experience offers a personalized combination of nature, culture, and food, and departs . So we are probably looking at only having from 9:30-3:30 for actual tour time, am I correct? Will the bus drop us at each stop? NPROXX is already involved in designing and producing infrastructure for hydrogen -powered city bus fleets in Germany. TICKET OPTIONS Choose a 24-hour or 48-hour pass, or add attractions with a combo and save! MORE RESULTS. We are two seniors, hubby doesn't walk distances very well. The Island Explorer features eight bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Routes 4 and 5 both begin at the Hulls Cove Visitor Center, which is convenient for motorists but rather distant from the center of Bar Harbor where most cruise passengers will begin their explorations. The Island Explorer features bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. Not sure if the are the same or 2 separate places & if they are, which one is more convenient to go to from the cruise ship? Its funding comes from elsewhere. (Oh well, just another reason to go back at some point). Stops include top vineyards, restaurants, shops, art galleries, beaches and nature walks. (207) 667-5796. Provide a list of bus stops with helpful information that includes Box 45 There are very few places where the NPS, itself, operates the public transportation system. So will this work if we walk from the ship to Bar Harbor Chamber of Congress to buy pass then onto Village Green to get on Bus #1 to go to the Visitor Center. I know if we were in our own car I would be included on his pass, but since we are taking the bus, I know I am not included. The first distribution line was very long, I gave up waiting after 20 minutes and this was prior to giving out the tickets. Bus 3 which begins & ends at the Village Green does not go to the Visitor Center in Acadia. Regularly scheduled buses stop at destinations in the park, including campgrounds, carriage road entrances, and many trailheads. Friends of Acadia has been involved with the bus system since the beginning, helping to fund and spearhead the initial test routes and facilitate major gifts from L.L.Bean and other donors to enable continued growth of this innovative transportation system. Listen to commentary and local tips by on board island host. Last loop in time for the 7.00pm return ferry. You may want to re-visit your assumption. Also Island Explorer is not associated with the NPS. Island Explorer Bus Stop Public Information Meeting. Or simply kick back, enjoy the ride and the spectacular views. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants.. zz we 77065 DX MAMMO,UNILAT 77066 DX MAMMO, BILAT . are overlayed on a geographically accurate depiction where roads From 3:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. this service runs every 15 minutes. Approx. 34 Mako Street Waiheke Community Art Gallery 14 Makora Avenue Oneroa Village - Ocean View Road at Tui Street 37-43 Causeway Road Started June 21, 2021, By It is operated by Downeast Transportation, . There was a park office on the Village Green. It's also possible to create the look of a thicker countertop by building up the edge. License. If youd like some ideas on neat ways to explore Acadia National Park without a car, weve developed a few itineraries to get you started: Explore Acadia by Foot, Bike, and Bus. Head off to your favourite bay for a swim, climb the lighthouse and visit West End. TRENTON After being dormant in 2020 because of COVID-19 and running on only half the usual routes last year, the Island Explorer bus system is set to resume its normal schedule this summer with a few add-ons. Proud Partner of the Thanks Meadowlander! km Departs: Rottnest Island Daily, various times 19 Stops Downeast Transportation also operates the seasonal Island Explorer serving Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island towns, and Schoodic Peninsula. Do we board the #3 Route bus to get to Hulls visitor center & is the visitor center before the entrance of the park so I can buy my pass? 0. The fact that a pedestrian pass exists always confused me as we buy a vehicle pass, but sometimes opt to leave our car in Bar Harbor. This employee may prefer to fly under the radar and might back down from more intense or high-profile work. The maps have been designed with the following in mind: Quickly see where routes are connected to each other by bus stops so that riders can determine which route or routes can get them to their destination. I have not reviewed the relevant National Transit Database filings for the Island Explorer service (which might not be especially useful anyway if the Island Explorer service is combined in the reporting with other Downeast Transportation routes and services), but it would be remarkable if both the FTA and the NPS were wrong in their general reporting of funding sources. Yes, but please don't.". April 13, 2022 by Dick Broom on News. This results in being able to drive into the park without going through a manned gate. Step into the double-decker bus from Matiatia when your ferry arrives from Auckland, and explore any of 16 stops on the route. designed with the following in mind: To report corrections or errors to this map please send an email to But, you know, covid. 3. Jackson Lab Commuter Routes; Bar Harbor-Bangor; Bar Harbor-Ellsworth; Bucksport Shuttle; Ellsworth Shuttle; Bar Harbor Shuttle; Stonington-Ellsworth; Ellsworth-Blue Hill; POLICY STATEMENTS: Non-Discrimination & Civil Rights Maps and timetables for Island Explorer bus service. 2300 SE 17th Street, Suite 800, Ocala, FL 34471 352-867-9606 . You can also flag down buses along their route. Package Includes In effect, there are two distinct starting points for Island Explorer bus routes. The park service itself explains that the Hulls Cove Visitor Center allows one to "purchase your entrance pass, speak with a ranger about planning your visit, use self-service maps, enjoy art from our Artist-In-Residence program, and shop at the Park Store." It also serves the Natural History Museum at the College of the Atlantic. be. Free Download. Also, while in Southwest Harbor, there is a shuttle service, route 11, that makes a loop throughout the area, via the community of Bernard, that could provide some additional sightseeing. You can find maps and bus schedules there. Even though my husband has a Lifetime pass, I will be sure to stop and get a pass for me to board the bus, I wouldn't think of trying to cheat, lol! Provided by Touchpoints Avoiding Crowds at Peak Season Directions & Transportation Basic Information Hiking Contact Info Mailing Address: PO Box 177 Bar Harbor , ME 04609 Phone: 207 288-3338 Contact Us . have been combined into a single route. So for a first timer, do I have the main things on our list of must sees? Whether you decide to purchase a park pass or not is, of course, a personal decision. The park will host an informal open house to present alternative designs, seek input, and answer questions about the project. their destination. While this is the most efficient order to visit the various points of interest, it does mean that the Visitor Center itself is the last stop. On the way look out for the huge Osprey nest on one of the rocky outcrops. Express will not operate in the fall of 2022. The Island Explorer operates on Mount Desert Island June 23 through October 10, 2022. What is the best order to do these in according to the bus routes? The Bicycle It's a free service, so I don't complain. If you want to be on the island early, go to the first distribution at least 30 minutes before tickets are given out. They can still be reached via phone (407-938-9561) or Email (Assistant.ppark@gmail.com or Manager.PlantationPark@gmail.com) Monday-Friday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. Allow for transfer times especially if on the return you have to go to the VC to get to VG. But it has had the effect of having the main park bus routes--routes 4 and 5--oriented to the motorists parking at the visitor center, leaving visitors in the center Bar Harbor itself with relatively poor bus service into the park (routes 3 and 10). I'm not sure. Number 2 - St George/Springs/Woodlands/Woburn. Island Gelato Company - gelato The Oyster Inn - restaurant and bar, mainly seafood Akito - coffee and brunch Havana Coffee Works - coffee, pies and cookies Some people really like viewing exhibits and talking with park rangers, prior to visiting the park itself, in order to enhance their interpretation of the park. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Schoodic Point is on the other side of Frenchman Bay, and you would need to travel by ferry from Bar Harbor to Winter Harbor. * * * I just wasn't sure if the bus stops at each place individually or they drop you off at Sand Beach and the only way you can get to the others is by walking. Quickly see where routes are connected to each other by bus stops In May the cruise ship tender left us at 'Town Pier', from there it is a 5-10 minute walk to the 'Village Green' (both appear on Google maps). The Island Explorer free bus website is at https://www.exploreacadia.com/index.html. TaxlD-900610573 / NPI-1023318060 . Home Our Impact Acadia Experience Island Explorer. Tips for riding the Island Explorer from Nathaniel Boechat. Thank you Island Explorer! The day we arrive, the town will be more crowded than on a Sunday. From 6:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. buses operate every 30 minutes. I only see bus 1 departing from the Village Green going to the Visitor Center at Acadia. You could stop off for an hour or two at Northeast Village (or just remain on the bus without alighting) and continue onward to Jordan Pond . Most everyone leaves their pass in their automobile because there is an obligation to do so, if the automobile is parked within the park, and a ticket might issue to the parked automobile otherwise. From a public policy perspective, the National Park Service has taken the correct position. Routes 3 and 10 serve the park itself. All rights reserved. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By We used the Island Explorer buses several years ago while on a cruise. Routes 3, 4 & 5 have a common stop at 'North Ridge'. And in those situations, the sponsoring businesses are separate from the public transportation system, even though the buses used may highlight or promote the businesses served. The IE bus driver doesn't check because most everyone leaves their pass in their car. By Note that park visitors who travel by automobile display their pass on a hangtag within their vehicle when parking within the park, and do not have a park pass with them personally when visiting park sites or using park buses. Friends of Acadia is excited to work with partners to facilitate future access to Acadia via public transportation. eeek! Then Bus #1 back to Village Green. CC Help Jenn Continuing onward to Jordan Pond, only route 4 will provide that service. (if it doesn't rain). -Acadia National Park visitor from England, "This makes the week a Maps and timetables on this site were updated for the 2022 fall season on August 23, 2022. Now, for Bar Harbor, the main thing "missing" is direct service between the Village Green and Jordan Pond House. Island Explorer Map A "tube-style" map that displays information about the Island Explorer bus routes in Acadia National Park. By fidelity to one's vocation , a religious is able to a degree to change the world to win the world for Christ, to restore all things in Christ. I just wasn't sure if the bus stops at each place individually or they drop you off at Sand Beach and the only way you can get to the others is by walking. island explorer bus stop bar harbor island explorer bus stop bar harbor photos island explorer bus stop bar harbor location There is also a two page Trail Activity Length 3.5 miles, Network Difficulty Moderate Town Bar Harbor Surface Dirt/Forest Floor, Rock/Ledge Pets Permitted Fees Yes Details Comments (0) there have been several recent cases on this subject involving the inspection transit fare payment receipts). From the IE website bus 1 does stop at the VC from VG. features, etc.). -Island Explorer passenger from Franklin, Maine, The Island Explorer is operated by While you may eventually on one or both of these routes at some point in time, they're not really set up to be of much convenience to cruise passengers. visit a lot more of the island. " Bus 3 which begins & ends at the Village Green does not go to the Visitor Center in Acadia. It would be easy for me to decide for myself because (1) I view the park as individually unique, while restaurants are fairly commonplace, and (2) I despise seafood, which seems to be the specialty of the West Street Caf (merely viewing its menu posted online started making me queasy). The non-use of motor vehicles ought to be encouraged, or at least not penalized by the imposition of additional fees. Island Explorer bus stop Train line Accommodation Bike ride 1 (4km, 30 mins) Bike ride 2 (10km, 1.5-3 hrs ) Bike ride 3 (22km, 3-5 hrs) Roads Tracks Settlement . Once on the other side you could use route 8 to get around the point. 0. The report from the Federal Transit Administration several years ago, http://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2021-03/Downeast.pdf, states that funding for Island Explorer service comes from the National Park Service, as well as from FTA rural funds (section 5311), FTA jobs access funds (section 5316), local businesses (local L.L. If you take bus 4 you will need to transfer at some point to return to VG. So you are saying that I need to get on Bus 1 to the visitor center, then get another bus, say the loop bus? 16 Stops 9 Points of Interest Duration: 6 hours Operating Schedule: Departs every 60mins. The park service has an information center at the Village Green, on Firefly Lane between Main Street and Kennebec Street. the routes that access the stop, facilities (restrooms, drinking Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. Explore Waiheke Island at your own pace, with all-day tickets for a hop-on, hop-off island explorer bus. Its funding comes from elsewhere. Easiest to comment on is route 9: labor shortages have caused the bus company to suspend service along this route. Can you make suggestions on what bus route might be the best to take? Last time my sister did get a park pass there. that trip is another 15 minutes. The Island Explorer features eight bus routes linking hotels, inns, and campgrounds with destinations in Acadia National Park and neighboring village centers. PO Box 914 The project also includes publishing a unified design guide for all Island Explorer bus stops in the park, and similar suggestions for fixtures at stops in villages and commercial locations where the Explorer stops. The journey is comfortable, with the air-conditioned bus making 18 stops on the route. The system is expected to grow as Acadia National Parks transportation plan is implemented. Fall service begins August 23, 2022. Return ferry fare - Return ferry fare - your adventure starts as soon as you board your Fullers360 ferry to Waiheke Island from downtown Auckland, with your return ferry ticket included in the tour price. Explorer bus routes in Acadia National Park. With an advanced high-strength, low-weight hydrogen storage tank either on top of the bus or within the body, these buses have the range to complete a full route from outskirts to city centre and back again. I would like to get our National Park stamp and I am assuming that is where I would get that. From Island Explorer: "Our buses will stop anywhere along the route that the driver deems safe. 4.0 International The National Park Service at Acadia National Park is planning a project to improve passenger drop off and pick up sites for Island Explorer (IE) buses. There are many options for getting to and around Acadia without using your car. In other words, park pass payment doesn't pay for the Island Explorer. Whether it is more important to devote maximum visiting time to the park itself, or to cut back on park time so as to be able to devote some time to an in-town restaurant, is a personal decision. The Quokka Hopper operates on demand between 8am - 10pm daily. The map and stops image files are licensed under a MODERN FLEET Take in the sights from our open-top and glass-roof double-decker buses. How much does it cost to import a dog to UK? 43 Cottage Street | P.O. This bus route also operates hourly, leaving the Village Green at 15 minutes past each hour in the morning, up until 12:15 p.m., then resuming at 1:45 p.m. at 45 minutes past each hour. Bar Harbor, ME 04609 carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. Bus 3 stops at Thunder Hole, so you would not have to hike back. real vacation." Family passes are also available. Passes are sold online and at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce (which is located prior to the Village Green). Stops include top vineyards, restaurants, shops, art galleries, beaches and nature walks. About 40 percent comes from federal (FTA) assistance, and the remainder from fares collected and a tiny amount (1 percent) from the state.Of those local funds, I cannot image that Hancock County or the Town of Bar Harbor would would be able to provide that much funding from the public trough . 4.0 International Related Searches. BUSES EVERY 30 MIN We operate 364 days a year from 27th November 2022, with our one-hour tour departing every 30 minutes. From Sand Beach take Bus # 4 (leaves every 20 minutes beginning at 9:35 am) to Jordan Pond. The Island is a high-risk fire area, lighting fires is prohibited at all times. Do we have to keep switching route buses along the way? Number 1 - St George/Lagoon Road/Grand Anse/Calliste. You have been very informative and helpful. Also Island Explorer is not associated with the NPS. I think the NPS does a decent job with the Acadia park pass, especially given the "openness" of Acadia National Park compared to other parks. . The hop-on hop-off tour aboard the Waiheke Island Explorer lets you explore the beauty of Waiheke at your own pace, with departures every half-hour (summer) or hour (winter). 1. The ride itself was 12-15 minutes but there was waiting on the ship & on the tender which added to the total time. A "tube-style" map that displays information about the Island Diagnostic Radiology CPT Codes Author: Ocala Health Advanced Imaging Centers Subject: CPT Codes Keywords:. While the majority of shuttle routes are located on MDI, Island Explorer has Schoodic Route shuttle bus stops for Acadia National Park. To the extent that any additional in-person advice is required before visiting, you should be able to receive that from the park service information center at the Village Green. Walk if you feel fit; ride if you do not want to, or cannot, walk. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. Our port time is 8:00-5:00. . Obviously, persons using motor vehicles impose greater impacts on a park environment than those same persons not using motor vehicles. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. A host on board offers recommendations, from . If that is the case we may have to do bus 3 from the visitor center then 4 to Jordon Pond. Walk to the top for spectacular 360 degree views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf islands, or hop on board our Volcanic Explorer road train tour for a guided island experience. Route 6 offers interesting options because it goes from the Village Green to the community of Northeast Harbor, and then it continues onward to Jordan Pond within the park itself. Rottnest Island Explorer Bus Service - read what we think of Rottnest Island Explorer Bus Service, including photos, videos, maps and other helpful information. That is an option though to save time I think the better choice is bus 3 (Sand Beach route) from Village Green to the Sand Beach stop. On Schoodic Peninsula, spring service begins on May 25, summer service begins on June 23, Drivers will pick up passengers anywhere it is safe to stop. If I am getting my Senior pass to enter the park is there 2 places that sell the pass, Bar Harbor Chamber of Congress & National Park Building in Village Green. (We tourists need our popovers). The Island Explorer webpage makes no mention of it and specifically states "The Island Explorer is not Acadia National Park.". most certainly this is where financial support from the NPS and local businesses gets accounted (alas, the NTD does not collect more specific data here). When is your cruise in September? Return to town on bus # 4 or 5 and check out the shops. You can begin the process as of today but cannot be fully completed until 72 hours prior to your travel. That sponsorship arrangement seems to be what is going on here. There are many public transportation systems where certain services receive financial support from the business(es) served. We were always very active but this past 2 years has been hard on him. Your all-day ticket allows you to hop on and off as often as you like. This bus route operates hourly, leaving the Village Green on the hour, and the ride to and from Southwest Harbor takes about 30 to 40 minutes each way. Ellsworth, ME 04605 I looked up the most recent annual agency profile for Downeast Transportation, Inc., from the National Transit Database, http://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/transit_agency_profile_doc/2020/1R03-10175.pdf, and it shows that for the fiscal year 2020, of the $3 million annual operating expenses, just over one-half of the operating funds (nearly $1.6 million) come from "local funds." You could alight on Main Street, at Clark Point Road (there's a flashing signal at the intersection), stroll around a bit, and return from the across the street at a later time. Flag the bus with two hands. I will ask if it is possible to board the bus close to Otter Point, it will benefit me too if it is possible. Then depending on how much time remaining take bus 4 to Jordan Pond or bus 3 back to the VG. Clean propane-powered Again, this is the the National Park Service at work, which generally caters to automobilists, with pedestrians and users of public transportation (including persons traveling by cruise vessel) as afterthought. It seems to me that it would be a case of the tail wagging the dog if persons in the center of Bar Harbor felt compelled to go out of their way to find a pass seller and pay for a park pass before boarding the bus. Clean propane-powered vehicles offer Mount Desert Island visitors and residents free transportation to hiking trails, carriage roads, island beaches, and in-town shops and restaurants. We will take a some snacks with us to hold us over just in case we don't have enough time to stop to eat, as that can take up an hour of our time just for that. Copyright 19952022 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, http://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/senior-pass-changes.htm, http://www.exploreacadia.com/questions.html, http://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/2021-03/Downeast.pdf. It would be nice to be with someone who has been there before, sure would make things easier. Does this make it possible to cheat? 19952022, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Forum Assistance - Welcome to Cruise Critic, Q&A: Cruise Insurance with Steve Dasseos of the TripInsuranceStore.com - November 2022, Holiday Exchange - Jingle and Mingle 2022. Bus Tours from $14.99 per adult 4 Hour Private Tour: Acadia National Park, Cadillac Summit & Somes Sound 77 Recommended Bus Tours from $700.00 per group (up to 5) Island Time E-bike Rentals from Acadia National Park 33 Recommended Rentals from $125.00 per adult Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour 5 Adventure Tours ALONGSIDE THE BULK TRASH.*. Email Us. A religious vocation is a magnificent grace from God, but it is only the beginning of a long chain of graces they must cooperate with by serving Him with love and fervor. I guess we will just do what we have time to see and plan to go back another time if it's a place we want to go back to. We are planning on taking the Free Island Explorer Shuttle to Acadia Ntl Park & was wondering how far of a walk it is to where we need to catch the bus? have turns and switchbacks and important details may be obscured. Employees who strongly agree they have had conversations with their manager in the last six months about After a few months of private conversations and tense team meetings, she. 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