New Saipan bus line expands access to public transportation

A new bus line on Saipan expands access to public transportation in the CNMI. It’s called the Blue Line 1B. It starts Nov. 24 and runs two buses between Garapan and Koblerville along Beach Road. 

Special Assistant for Public Transportation Alfreda Camacho Maratita said, "This is a blessing for everyone that lives here. Everyone that needs to get to and from their doctor's appointments, to school, to places of leisure, shopping, grocery shopping, catching movies, just everything and anything that you want to enjoy here on the island of Saipan."

The new fixed bus route by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority comes after a 2017 pilot program was cut short due to austerity and the pandemic. The renewed effort is fully funded by a federal grant. The buses are ADA-accessible and can transport up to 20 passengers. 

She added, "So right now we have it where we start at 6:30 in the morning and end at 8:30 in the evening. And it parallels our demand-responsive shared ride program. And we eventually want to again, test-run what works, and what doesn't work. And if there is demand that we need to open up a little bit longer than that, of course, it will be considered...So right now to the end of 2023, we have that slogan right for free in 2023 until January 1, 2024 is when we will start charging a dollar for the general public and $0.50 for those with special needs or disabilities, military, veterans and their families, students, and seniors."

She says the goal is to create a more connected island. They have their eyes set on bus lines in northern Saipan in the future. 

She added, "We are basically here to connect our people in this community."