SALEM — The city recently secured a $1 million grant from MassDOT and the Healey-Driscoll administration to keep the Salem Skipper ride-sharing service in operation for additional time.
The service, which began in 2020, allows for residents, commuters, and visitors in Salem to book a ride on their phone to and from anywhere in Salem. The cost is $2 per ride or $1 for seniors, middle and high school students, and people with disabilities.
Last October, the service celebrated providing more than 500,000 rides since its launch.
In April 2024, the service expanded to include specifically targeted areas of high employment or commercial activity in Danvers and Beverly through a two-year pilot program. The recent funding through the Microtransit & Last Mile Transit grant funding will allow for this expanded coverage to continue.
The city’s transportation director David Kucharsky said there are currently no plans to further extend the service.
To use the service, people can download the Salem Skipper app and book a ride by entering their pickup and drop-off addresses. The app will then display a pickup spot, which is usually a nearby corner or a short walk from the address entered.
“The Salem Skipper has become a vital part of our local transportation options and we’re working hard to identify ways to continue the program,” Mayor Dominick Pangallo said. “As a city, we’re striving to help people get to and from home, work, school, and medical appointments, and save money at the same time. The $2 Skipper ride is helping make Salem a bit more affordable, while also reducing car dependency in our community.”
More information about the Salem Skipper service can be found on the city’s website salemma.gov/mobility-services/pages/salem-skipper.
Michael McHugh can be contacted at mmchugh@northofboston.com or at 781-799-5202