As residents and many visitors of the Hamptons are aware, Suffolk County legislator Bridget Fleming launched the Suffolk Transit On-Demand service in Southampton in 2021. Now, the service has reportedly expanded to East Hampton Town with the 10B and 10C bus routes being replaced with on-demand buses.
According to reports on the expansion, the on-demand services will cater to those located anywhere within the zone from the East Hampton Railroad Station to Montauk Point. Riders can request a ride through a smartphone app, and areas that will have this service available include the Hamlets of Springs, Amagansett, and Montauk.
Riders will pay $2.25 while using the Suffolk Transit “SCT On-Demand” app on their smartphones or can call 631-818-2982 to book a ride. Assistance is available for both English and Spanish speakers. Every bus in the fleet is fully wheelchair accessible, operating daily from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, seven days a week.
Currently, the 92 fixed route bus service, which travels from Orient Point to the East Hampton Railroad Station will run as scheduled. However, riders can connect with the on-demand service for travel points further east at the East Hampton Railroad Station.
Since the initial Southampton town launch more than three years ago, bus ridership has at least doubled for on-demand buses. All of these figures come courtesy of Suffolk County legislator Ann Welker’s office.
The new East Hampton Town zone is expected to serve more than 16,000 riders in just its first year, according to the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning.
Both Ms. Welker and East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez took a ride on the new bus on Wednesday, May 8, according to verified statements. Welker and Burke-Gonzalez were ultimately joined by new board member, Zach Minskoff and East Hampton Chamber of Commerce secretary Carl Irace.
Burke-Gonzalez issued a public statement speaking on the expansion of the Suffolk Transit On-Demand service, saying, “We are excited to welcome Suffolk Transit On-Demand to the town of East Hampton.” She continued, “The bus works on your schedule and brings you exactly to where you want to go — which is critical for folks going to work, taking a sick child to the doctor, or anyone who needs a ride.”
Ms. Welker added to Burke Gonzalez’s statements, saying, “The on-demand bus system has been enormously successful in Southampton, where it replaced the fixed route between Sag Harbor Village and the Southampton-Stony Brook University campus.” Ms. Welker continued, saying the bussing system is “used by many members of the community, from students to seniors to workers and many local businesses, and even those going out for dinner.”
East Hampton Chamber of Commerce secretary, Mr. Irace, added, “I am glad that I had the opportunity to use this new service.” He continued, “It’s convenient and very easy to use, and will be such a great way for chamber members, staff, patrons, and everyone else to get around East Hampton Town.”
