City of Salem Strongly Urges Public Transportation for Weekends in October

Additional MBTA Trains, Larger Ferry Vessels, and Satellite Parking Added to Accommodate Salem Haunted Happenings

The City of Salem is advising all travelers planning to visit during the remaining weekends in October to take the train, ride the ferry, or use satellite parking. The MBTA has added extra trains and the Salem Ferry is running larger vessels as needed for Saturday, October 23, Sunday, October 24, Saturday, October 30, and Sunday, October 31. In addition, the City of Salem will provide free satellite parking and shuttle buses for the weekends. Masks are required to be worn while riding on public transportation and the shuttle.

“Based on parking activity this October, we expect both City garages and the lots downtown to be full by around 10 a.m. or even potentially earlier on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the remaining weekends of October,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “We are working closely with the MBTA and providing free satellite parking with shuttle bus service during the weekends so that we can help visitors and residents enjoy Salem Haunted Happenings with minimal parking issues.”

Destination Salem has provided additional helpful tips for navigating the City during Salem Haunted Happenings:

To make the most out of the Salem Haunted Happenings experience, visitors should plan ahead by making reservations and purchasing tickets where available.
The free parking shuttles include an accessible bus that will stop at Salem High School and Jefferson Avenue lots, as well as Riley Plaza.
Check MBTA Garage capacity on Twitter @mbta_parking. The nearest MBTA Garages are located at 252 Bridge Street in Salem, 325 Broad Street in Lynn, and 100 Rantoul Street in Beverly. The train ride from Lynn or Beverly to Salem is less than five minutes.
The MBTA Garage and adjacent surface lot in Salem will be closed to entering and exiting vehicles between 6 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Halloween night.
Complete event information is available at HauntedHappenings.org link to: https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/plan-ahead-take-public-transportation-to-salem-for-the-final-two-weekends-of-october/.

Salem is seeing record-breaking visitation this October, and crowds have grown each weekend. By planning to use public transportation or the satellite parking options, visitors will save time, money, and the inevitable frustration experienced when people get stuck in the downtown traffic jams that occur when garages and lots are full and street closures go into effect.