#5 West Gloucester / Essex

CATA provides service Monday through Saturday year-round. Additional seasonal service includes select Sundays and holidays. Check individual route schedules for specific operating days and times.

CATA is currently fare free through grant funding provided by the Commonwealth.

The regular CATA bus, Mall Bus, ADA Paratransit service, senior dial-a-ride service, Ipswich Medical bus, the Dialysis Bus, and all summer routes are fare free. The CATA On Demand service will continue to collect fares.

CATA does not operate on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, or Christmas Day.

CATA operates a Saturday schedule on the following holidays: (including ADA Paratransit service where applicable.)

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day

• Presidents' Day

• Patriots' Day

• Juneteenth

• Columbus Day

• Veterans Day

On Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day, seasonal routes and limited ADA Paratransit service may be available where seasonal service is offered.

Please check current schedules or call 978-283-7916 for holiday service availability.

Arrive at your stop a few minutes early. When you see the bus, wave to indicate to the driver that you are waiting for the bus. When the bus arrives, please allow passengers to exit before boarding. Have your belongings ready and board carefully using the handrails if needed. For your safety, never cross in front of the bus. Wait until the bus has departed, then look both ways before crossing the street.

Never cross in front of the bus. Wait for the bus to leave the area, then look both ways before crossing the street.

Please be respectful of fellow passengers and drivers. Loud conversations, excessive noise, radios, and offensive or disruptive behavior are not permitted and may result in removal from the vehicle and suspension from CATA service.

No. Smoking, vaping, eating, and drinking are not permitted on CATA vehicles.

Bag Policy

CATA has a three bag limit to ensure space for all customers on the bus and for safety reasons. Please be respectful of your fellow passengers and abide by this rule.

• Up to Three Bags: You are welcome to bring up to three bags with you on the bus.

• One Trip: You must be able to board and deboard the bus in one trip.

• Size & Safety: Please ensure that your bags are manageable, under your control, and do not block the aisles or take up additional seating.

Small Personal Carts

CATA allows small personal carts on all buses and vans. To ensure a safe and comfortable ride for everyone, please follow these guidelines:

• Keep aisles clear: Carts must be stored out of the aisle. If a cart cannot be fully removed from the aisle, please remove its contents and fold it up.

• Maintain control of your items: Passengers must keep their carts and bags secure at all times.

• Accessibility: If you need assistance boarding or exiting the bus with your cart, you are welcome to request use of the lift.

• Safety first: Bulky items cannot be placed in the aisle, as they may interfere with the safe operation of the vehicle.

Yes. Seat belts are required by law on all CATA Dial-A-Ride and ADA Paratransit vehicles.

Yes. If a child requires a car seat, the passenger is responsible for providing and properly securing it before travel.

Yes. Riders must wear appropriate clothing, including pants, shirt, and shoes. Face coverings are optional.

Service animals are always welcome. Other animals must be safely secured in an appropriate carrier or cage.

CATA is committed to providing transportation services without regard to race, color, or national origin and complies with all applicable civil rights requirements.

CATA buses may be flagged down between bus stops. Simply stand on the same side of the road as the bus, wave to the driver, and the bus will stop at the first safe location. Always wait where the driver can safely see you. Wave-A-Bus is not available on School Tripper routes or the Saturday Mall Bus.

No. CATA drivers are not permitted to accept tips.

No. Dispatchers cannot assign riders to specific drivers or guarantee that a rider will or will not have a particular driver. If you have concerns about a driver, please contact CATA at 978-283-7916.

Reports of bus service interruption due to weather or other emergencies will be broadcast on CATA social media & canntran.com.

Yes. CATA will make reasonable modifications to its policies and procedures to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to its transportation services.

A modification may be approved if it:

• Is necessary for the rider to use the service.

• Does not fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

• Does not create a direct threat to the health or safety of others.

• Does not result in an undue financial or administrative burden.

How to request a reasonable modification:

Let CATA know what you need in order to use the service. You are not required to use the term "reasonable modification" when making your request.

Whenever possible, requests should be made in advance, such as during the ADA Paratransit eligibility process or by contacting Customer Service at 978-283-7916 before your trip.

If a request cannot reasonably be made in advance, CATA operating personnel will determine at the time of service whether the requested modification can be provided.

CATA On Demand is a public, app-based transportation service that lets you book shared rides within Gloucester and Rockport when you need them.

Enter your pickup and drop-off locations in the CATA On Demand mobile app, choose the ride option that works best for you, and we'll send a driver your way.

Service operates Monday through Friday from 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM for $2 per ride.

To book your first ride: Download the CATA On Demand app and create a rider profile.