In summer, trying to find a parking space in downtown Rehoboth Beach requires a little luck and a lot of prayer. This year, the Delaware Transit Corporation and the Delaware Department of Transportation are giving residents and visitors plenty of stress-free options.
In late May, the Lewes Transit Center opened on Del. 1 near the intersection at Five Points. On the southbound side of the highway, the center features 248 parking spaces and bike racks for those who want to park and ride into town. Parking is free. Pay the fare upon boarding.
Buses on the seasonal routes operate seven days a week during the season, with greater frequency on weekends. “We’re increasing service levels almost three times the amount,” says Julie Theyerl, marketing and public affairs officer for the Delaware Transit Corporation (DART First State). “Now there will be a bus cruising down the buses-only lane on Route 1 every 10 to 20 minutes. So if people are sitting in traffic, hopefully they will see them and say, ‘Why aren’t I on that bus?’” The price is also appealing. At the beach, the base fare is $2 a trip or $4.20 for a daily pass.
Because many of these routes operate until 2 a.m., riders can go to restaurants and bars without worrying about drinking and driving, Theyerl notes.
BUSES MADE EASY
DART Beach Bus Schedules and fares are for daily service May 22 through Sept. 10. Service runs from about 7 a.m. to about 2 a.m. See note about fares at bottom.
Bus 201: Lewes Transit Center to the Rehoboth Park & Ride and the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, every 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the day of the week and time of day.
Bus 203: Lewes Transit Center to Dewey Beach, every 30 minutes.
Bus 204: Lewes Transit Center to Lewes, about every 30 minutes.
Bus 207: Rehoboth Park & Ride to Long Neck, every 45 minutes.
Bus 208: Rehoboth Park & Ride to Ocean City, Md., hourly on weekends; every two hours on weekdays. ($10 to park at Rehoboth Park & Ride buys a daily bus pass for four riders.)
Bus 305: To Lewes and Rehoboth transit centers, Friday evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, from:
The Wilmington Train Station, Christiana Mall Park & Ride, Odessa Park & Ride at Routes 1 and 299 in Middletown, Scarborough Road Park & Ride in Dover, Lewes Park & Ride and Rehoboth Park & Ride. The fee is $2 per zone, or buy a daily pass for $12.60.
Note: The daily pass can be used on any beach bus. Local routes operate daily May 22 from about 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. for $2 per trip or $4.20 for a daily pass. Lewes Park & Ride offers free parking (fare paid upon boarding). Rehoboth Park & Ride is $10 per car. Up to four people receive a daily pass.
Download the free DelDOT app for DART’s real-time bus information. For more, visit www.dartfirststate.com.
