Summer Routes
Explore Cape Ann Without a Car. Summer Routes serve Gloucester, Rockport, Essex, and Ipswich.
About
Summer is one of the best times to experience Cape Ann—and CATA makes it easy to get there. Our seasonal shuttle services connect beaches, museums, parks, downtown shopping, restaurants, and MBTA Commuter Rail stations throughout Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, and Essex.
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Whether you're visiting for the day, commuting to work, or spending the season on Cape Ann, CATA helps you spend less time searching for parking and more time enjoying the coast.
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Why ride CATA this summer?
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Fare-free through the end of 2026
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Convenient MBTA connections
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Wheelchair accessible vehicles
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Easy access to beaches, parks, museums, shopping, and restaurants
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Less traffic and parking stress
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Great for visitors, seasonal workers, and residents
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Select a route below for more information.
The Easiest Way to Explore Rockport
In partnership with the Town of Rockport, the Rockport Shuttle provides free service every 20 minutes between the free Blue Gate Meadow Park & Ride Lot, the Rockport MBTA Station, and Downtown Rockport.
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Avoid downtown parking and enjoy convenient access to:
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Bearskin Neck
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Front Beach
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Back Beach
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Shops & galleries
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Restaurants
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Motif No. 1
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Downtown Rockport
Plan Your Visit
2026 Season
Mid-May through mid October
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Plan Your Visit
Visit rockportshuttle.com for maps, parking information, attractions, dining, beaches, and trip planning, or download Schedule (PDF).
Rockport Shuttle
Stage Fort Park Shuttle
Gloucester's Waterfront Connection
Beginning June 20, the Stage Fort Park Shuttle connects visitors arriving by MBTA Commuter Rail, downtown Gloucester, and Stage Fort Park with some of Gloucester's most popular destinations.​
Whether you're headed to the beach, exploring Gloucester's working waterfront, or spending the day outdoors, the shuttle makes getting around easy.
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Ride to:
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Stage Fort Park
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Gloucester Visitor Center
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Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce
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Downtown Gloucester
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Rocky Neck
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Bass Rocks
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Gloucester MBTA Station
Plan Your Visit
2026 Season
Third Saturday in June through Labor Day
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Plan Your Visit
Visit stagefortparkshuttle.com for maps, parking information, attractions, dining, beaches, and trip planning, or download Schedule (PDF).
Explore the Ipswich Bay Area Car-Free
Arriving by train? We'll meet you there! The Ipswich Essex Explorer connects the Ipswich MBTA Station with Crane Beach, downtown Ipswich, Essex, and many of the North Shore's most popular coastal attractions.
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Avoid downtown parking and enjoy convenient access to:
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Crane Beach
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Historic Ipswich
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Essex antique shops
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Fresh seafood
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Russell Orchards
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Essex Shipbuilding Museum
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Outdoor recreation
Plan Your Visit
2026 Season
June 20th through Labor Day
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Plan Your Visit
Visit ipswichessexexplorer.com for maps, parking information, attractions, dining, beaches, and trip planning, or download Schedule (PDF).
Ipswich Essex Explorer
FAQs
Are the summer shuttles free?
Yes. All CATA seasonal shuttle services are fare-free through the end of 2027.
Do CATA summer shuttles connect to the MBTA stations?
Yes. Every seasonal shuttle connects with at least one MBTA Commuter Rail station, making it easy to explore Cape Ann without a car.
Ipswich Essex Explorer - Ipswich Commuter Rail
Stage Fort Park Shuttle - Gloucester Commuter Rail
Rockport Shuttle - Rockport Commuter Rail
Where can I find maps and attractions?
Each shuttle has its own dedicated website with route maps, schedules, attractions, dining, beaches, parking information, and local trip ideas. There are also other local resources.
rockportshuttle.com, ipswichessexexplorer.com, stagefortparkshuttle.com, discovergloucester.com, and capeannchamber.com are great resources to start planning your trip.
Are the vehicles wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All seasonal shuttle vehicles are ADA accessible.