New local bus lines beginning daily runs starting Feb. 16
White Mountain Transit Authority
by Tom Eastman

February 15, 2007
NORTH CONWAY — It was only about two weeks ago, on Feb. 2, that the White Mountain Transit Authority buses first hit the streets and byways of the village, but the owners of the line are already enthused about the public response.

And now, with the Presidents' Day vacation week about to start, the WMTA will be operating two coaches seven days a week, beginning Friday, Feb. 16.

"We're really excited at the response from the community and the different businesses — it's just phenomenal," said WMTA co-proprietor Jonathan Bliss. "And," Bliss added, "with this windfall of snow [Feb. 14], we're hoping for a lot of smooth runs. We're just rocking."

Bliss's partner in the WMTA venture, Michael Curreri, was pleased with the opening weeks of the new line, too.

"Opening day [Feb.2] was just an initial run," Bliss told The Mountain Ear, "to get the drivers used to routes and to check out the mechanics."

With the Feb. 16 start of the daily schedule, the two coaches will be running from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

The Met Coffee shop in downtown North Conway Village is the main departure location for the public, with other stops at the North Conway Grand Hotel, Settlers' Green Outlet, the Eastern Slope Inn and main parking lot at the Cranmore Mountain ski area. Bliss, on Tuesday, Feb. 13, said he hoped these and other stops would be clearly marked with signs before the daily runs begin.

The coaches in use now are two Ford passenger shuttle vans, but with the coming of the summer season Bliss said the line will have trolley-style coaches available for local riders and tourists, too.

Ticket costs are $2 for a loop that runs south from the Eastern Slope Inn to the North Conway Grand, and then heads north to Cranmore Mountain Resort.

Weekend family passes are also available. Each loop has a total travel time of between 20 and 25 minutes.

The shuttle, Bliss said, of North Conway, on non-vacation winter weeks will run three days a week, beginning Friday afternoons at 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. The Sunday schedule will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Bliss said.

Regular daily service is envisioned for the summer season, beginning July 4.

The two Ford Starcraft vans in use this winter can accommodate 25 passengers each. The two 30-passenger bus trolleys are now under construction at Molly Trolley in Ogunquit, Maine, and will begin service to add to those two vans here in the Valley beginning the July 4 holiday, Bliss said.

Concept 'favorably received'

Business response has been encouraging to date, not only from those businesses, but from local restaurants and shops which have agreed to serve as stops along the looped route, according to Bliss and Curreri.

Bliss said restaurants serving as stops include Delaney's, May Kelly's and Moat Mountain Smokehouse, as well as the public bus stop at The Met. The loop also swings by the Conway Scenic Railway and the North Conway Community Center.

The two shuttles will run simultaneously — one heading north from the North Conway Grand to Cranmore, and one southbound from the Eastern Slope Inn.

"And more stops will be added as the business continues to grow," Bliss added.

The WMTA company will be selling advertising space on the sides of the vehicles and the interior.

Both the trolleys will be handicapped accessible with special doors in the back. Each will be red with forest green. Both the shuttles and trolleys will be equipped with ski racks in the back of each.

Routes may be extended

The routes later this year will likely be extended to Story Land this summer and perhaps to Attitash and Jackson Village next winter .

"Having been a frequent visitor to this region, I think the timing of starting this service is perfect," said Curreri in an earlier interview.

"With the area's growth, the opening of the North-South Road a few years ago, and the local development plans with the coming of Lowe's and Home Depot, I think there is a need which we will serve," Curreri added.

Bliss said he envisions people using the shuttle during the day to get their kids to Cranmore and to visit the village, and at night for dining destinations.

"If you're staying at the North Conway Grand on a Sunday morning, for example, and your kids want to go skiing and you're still eating breakfast, the kids can jump on the shuttle while parents finish breakfast and checkout. Or, you can go out to dinner, and let us be the designated driver," said Bliss.

Bliss said that in addition to providing fun and convenient family transportation, another goal is to lessen parking and traffic pressures on the village during busy season.

"Having lived here for 14 years, and being a businessman, I know that the need is there in winter on weekends and vacation weeks, and in summer," Bliss said.

The service may also be available for special charters.

For further information, Bliss may be reached at 986-6887.