The Dover FastTrans project is providing regular, hourly bus service from downtown to homes, businesses, and remote parking in the city. There are three FastTrans routes, numbered 33, 34, and 35, which run every hour, from about 7AM until 7PM, Monday through Friday. Also as part of the FastTrans project, service on COAST Route 1, which serves downtown as well as the Dover Housing Authority, has been increased to hourly frequency.

This project was begun at the direction of the City of Dover to provide fast and affordable transportation throughout the downtown area. The project is funded through a "CMAQ" grant (a grant for projects that will improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion), as well as funds from the City of Dover and the Federal Government.

Our goal in designing these routes for the City was to connect dense residential areas, remote parking lots, and transportation centers, with the core downtown area. These routes were each designed to make a full round-trip every hour. Users can get where they need to go in town as fast as they would in a car, and they can get back within an hour. Besides the high frequency of service, we've set the fare for these routes at just 50 cents. Whether you're a visitor coming in on the train or C&J, a resident with a car, or an employee of a Dover business, there's no better way to get around town.

Dover FastTrans related bus routes:

COAST Route 1 / FastTrans Route 33 / FastTrans Route 34 / FastTrans Route 35

Other bus routes in Dover:

COAST Route 2 / Wildcat Transit Route 3 / Dover Community Routes (limited service)

Other mass transit services in Dover:

C&J to Boston and Logan Airport / Amtrak Downeaster (train) to Portland, Maine or Boston

How is Dover FastTrans funded?

The first couple of years of bus service are being funded by a grant for Congestion-Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ). This funding is specifically for programs designed to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. When that grant money is spent, the project will be funded largely by the city of Dover using monies collected from vehicle registrations in the city.

Why is COAST adding all of these routes in Dover instead of ...?

COAST has added the Dover FastTrans routes as a result of a federal grant that the city of Dover was successfully awarded. COAST is providing the service in cooperation with and at the direction of the city.

COAST staff are well aware that our long-time riders are interested in additional bus service such as more frequent buses on Route 2, service on Saturdays for Route 1, and so on. Rest assured, we continue to work towards those goals with the communities that we serve.

If you wish to see expanded bus service including things like weekend service, you must contact your local elected officials (town or city councilors) and encourage them to support expanded COAST service.

Why are the FastTrans routes only 50 cents?

We hope to encourage residents and visitors to use FastTrans instead of taking their car when making short trips within the city. Consider that just a dollar will get you a comfortable ride "there and back again," wherever you need to go in Dover.

Why would I take the bus if I have a car?

Everyone has a different reason, but believe us that if you try it once you'll be convinced. Riding the bus is cheaper - you don't have to pay for gas and you aren't putting wear and tear on your car. Riding the bus is better for the environment - driving your car a short distance in town actually creates more pollution than a trip on the highway for a long distance. Plus, the more people in town using the bus means fewer cars causing traffic congestion, especially through downtown. If we're all going the same direction, why do we each have to take our own car?

Finally, we like to remind people that just because you use the bus when you can, doesn't mean you have to give up your car. We still use our cars when we need to, but we take the bus when it makes sense. See you out there!