Service Notices & Changes

COAST will place information on upcoming service notices and schedule changes on this page. Specifics on the changes will be listed under the effective date.

For current information on our services, including where the bus is in real time, short term stop closures/detours, or temporary service suspensions, please use the Passio Go app.

Proposal to Consider Fare Increases for Later this Year

To partially offset rising operational expenses, the seacoast’s nonprofit public transit system known as the Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST), is proposing fare increases for implementation later this calendar year.

As part of the proposal being considered, COAST’s base cash fare would increase from $1.50 to $2.00 on all bus routes. This would also impact fares paid by passengers on COAST’s advance reservation demand response services (ADA Paratransit, Newmarket-Exeter Connector & Portsmouth Senior Transportation). And there would be impacts on the cash half-fare, ticket bundles, DR punch tickets, and monthly passes.

Public hearings will be held throughout COAST’s service area to solicit public input on the proposed fare increases.

The proposed fare increases at COAST would be consistent with similar increases taking place at public transit systems across the country in response to rising costs. The proposed change would mean COAST’s base cash fares would equal the fares currently charged by other New England public transit systems like: Manchester Transit Authority (MTA), Nashua Transit System (NTS), Portland Metro and Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach in Maine, Green Mountain Transit in Vermont, and RIPTA in Rhode Island.

Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director, affirmed, “This is the first time since 2008 that COAST has proposed a systemwide fare increase. We have focused on keeping our fares very affordable to encourage maximum use. We continue to focus on this goal. However, we must reassess our fares to determine whether they are the most equitable to all parties involved (e.g., passengers, federal, state and local governments), including the communities that help fund our services.”

COAST last changed its fare structure in 2008 when it increased base cash fares from $1.00 to $1.50.

Proposed Increase

The proposed fare increase would raise a one-way cash fare (the base fare) on COAST buses to $2.00, a $0.50 increase from the current $1.50 to ride. Cash fares for older adults and individuals living with disabilities, set at half the base cash fare, would increase to $1.00.

The comparable fares for COAST’s one-way complementary ADA paratransit services would increase to start at $4.00. Currently comparable one-way fares start at $3.00.

Newmarket-Exeter Connector fares would increase to $4.00. Currently comparable one-way fares are $3.00.

The highest fare charged on Portsmouth Senior Transportation, for rides in which a fare is charged, would increase to $4.00. Non-emergency medical trips and trips to Seacoast Mental Health Center will remain free. Group Shopping Trips would increase to $3.00 each way. All other eligible trips would have a $4.00 fare.

Ticket Bundles, currently sold as 15 tickets for $20.00 would change to 11 tickets for $20. This would maintain the equivalent discount rate for these tickets while also continuing to make purchases on the bus easy with the cash that typically comes from an ATM.

Demand Response Punch Tickets, recognized on any COAST demand response service (ADA, Newmarket-Exeter Connector or Portsmouth Senior Transportation), will be sold for $40.00 and include 40 $1.00 punches on them. Currently they are sold for $30 and include 30 $1.00 punches on them.

Monthly passes, good on all COAST and Wildcat Transit buses, would increase from $52.00 to $60.00. The monthly pass program discount rate would improve from the current 17.5% to 28.5%. This assumes the user takes 42 trips over the course of the month, or two trips a day over 21 days.

Public Hearings

COAST staff and members of the board of directors will be holding a series of eight hearings throughout the region to provide the public with an opportunity to learn about and comment on the proposed changes. Details on the meeting locations, dates and times can be found below.

Date Location Room Time

Wednesday, 5/6 Exeter Public Library Large Meeting Room 10:00-11:00AM

Wednesday, 5/6 Portsmouth Public Library Levenson Room 5:30-6:30PM

Thursday, 5/7 Rochester Public Library Large Meeting Room 9:30-10:30AM

Thursday, 5/7 Dover CAPSC Conference Room 12:00-1:00PM

Friday, 5/8 Somersworth City Hall Council Chambers 8:15- 9:15AM

Monday, 5/18 Farmington Town Hall Auditorium 4:30-5:30PM

Wednesday, 5/20 Portsmouth Public Library Levenson Room 10:30-11:30AM

Thursday, 5/21 Newmarket Town Hall Council Chambers 3:00-4:00PM

Notices announcing the hearings will appear in area newspapers; will be available on the COAST web site, www.coastbus.org; and will be posted on all COAST buses. Information on traveling to and from hearings via the COAST bus system can also be found on the web site.

For those who cannot attend the hearings, COAST is accepting written comments/testimony through email, info [at] coastbus.org (info[at]coastbus[dot]org), and by mail at COAST, 42 Sumner Drive, Dover, NH 03820. All written comments/testimony submitted prior to May 29, 2026 will be made part of the hearing record.

Service Delay Notice for Friday, March 6, 2026

Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive tonight and be in place through the first part of Friday morning, the decision has been made to delay the start of all COAST services between 7:25-8:00a, with all scheduled service operating as normal after 8:00a. “The prediction of up to 5” of snow in the region, means travel for our early morning staff and the need to clean off the fleet will likely be challenging Friday morning.

"We feel this is the best decision we could make based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Director.

Specifics on when bus routes will start for the day can be found below.

Route 1 northbound – Dover Transportation Center at 7:30a

Route 6 southbound – Main & Pleasant St. (Farmington) at 7:25a

Route 12 northbound – Dover Transportation Center at 7:30a

Route 12 southbound – Lilac Mall at 7:55a

Route 13 southbound – Dover Transportation Center at 7:30a

Route 13 northbound – Hanover Station at 8:00a

Route 14 northbound – Rochester Park & Ride at 7:44a

Route 14 southbound – Lilac Mall at 8:00a

Route 33 outbound – Dover Transportation Center at 7:30a

Route 34 outbound – Dover Transportation Center at 8:30a

Route 40 outbound – Hanover Station at 8:00a

Route 41 outbound – Hanover Station at 8:00a

Route 43 outbound – Hanover Station at 8:00a

Route 44 – Hanover Station at 8:36a

COAST ADA Paratransit, Portsmouth Senior Transportation and the Newmarket-Exeter Connector will all start around 7:25a.

Based on the current forecast, COAST plans to return to normal operations on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

Nichols commented further, “As always, when traveling after the storm, please be safe on your way to and from bus stops. Please do not wait for the bus on top of snowbanks. Find the nearest driveway opening; make sure you are visible to the bus operator and wave as the bus approaches. In low light conditions wave a lit cell phone or flashlight to make you more visible to the bus operator.” COAST recommends wearing bright clothing, having reflectors, and carrying a flashlight.

For updated information on COAST services, please tune in to area radio and television news outlets. COAST will also be using its website at www.coastbus.org and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/COASTbus to provide additional updates.

Service Cancellation Notice for Monday, February 23, 2026

Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive tonight and be in place through most of Monday and the likely hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to suspend all services on Monday, February 23, 2026. “The prediction of 8-12” of snow throughout most of the region, including blizzard warnings on the coast, means travel on the roads will be very challenging on Monday, including for customers travelling to and from bus stops. We feel this is the best decision we could make based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Director.

Based on the current forecast, COAST plans to return to normal operations on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. When COAST resumes service, expect delays as the storm continues to pull away and storm cleanup may still be affecting the roads and walkways.

Service Cancellation Notice for Monday, January 26, 2026

Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive later today and be in place through most of Monday and the likely hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to suspend all services on Monday, January 26, 2026. “The prediction of 18-24” of snow means travel on the roads will be very challenging on Monday, including for customers travelling to and from bus stops. We feel this is the most reasonable decision we could make based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Director.

Based on the current forecast, COAST plans to return to normal operations on Tuesday, January 27, 2026. When COAST resumes service, expect delays as the storm continues to pull away and storm cleanup may still be affecting the roads and walkways.

Delayed Start Notice for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Due to the winter storm that is predicted to arrive later tonight and be in place through Wednesday morning and the potentially hazardous road conditions, the decision has been made to delay the start of all services on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. “The prediction of up to 0.3 inches of ice and freezing rain makes it appear like travel will potentially be very unsafe Wednesday morning. We feel this is the safest approach we could take for our staff and customers based on the predicted conditions,” stated Rad Nichols, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation (COAST) Executive Director.

Based on the current forecast, COAST plans to open at 12:00pm on Wednesday. To follow are details on COAST’s opening plan.

Route 1: 12:30pm northbound from the Dover Transportation Center
Route 6: 3:25pm southbound from Farmington
Route 12N: 12:30pm from the Dover Transportation Center
Route 12S: 12:54pm from Lilac Mall
Route 13N: 1:00pm from Hanover Station
Route 13S: 12:30pm from the Dover Transportation Center
Route 14N: 12:44pm from the Rochester Park & Ride
Route 14S: 1:00pm from the Lilac Mall
Route 33: 12:30pm outbound from the Dover Transportation Center
Route 34: 12:17pm Inbound from Sumner Dr.
Route 40: 12:00pm outbound from Hanover Station
Route 41: 12:00pm outbound from Hanover Station
Route 43: 12:00pm outbound from Hanover Station
All demand response services will begin at 12:00pm.

When COAST resumes service, expect delays as storm cleanup may still be affecting the roads and walkways.

Service Changes Started Saturday, October 4, 2025 (updated on 10/8/25)

Beginning October 4, 2025, COAST made the following changes to our schedule:

Discontinue Route 42
Discontinue Route 100
Adjust Route 40 to serve Great Bay Community College and the Pease Airline Terminal via New Hampshire Ave.
Discontinue the first AM run on Route 40
Adjust Route 43 to no longer serve Atlantic Heights, Shattuck, or the Newington Town Hall.
Shorten service hours on Routes 12, 13, 14, 40, 41, 43, and 44, with all service ending by 8:15 pm.
Adjust Route 33 Saturday service to mimic the weekday service routing.

Print schedules are on the buses, and PDF versions of the schedules are available on every route page.

Why were these changes proposed?

As a nonprofit organization, COAST’s annual $7.5-8.5 million budget must be raised from a variety of sources. Historically, the federal government, through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), congressional appropriations and one-time grants, has covered 60% of COAST’s operating costs. This year, 53% of COAST’s budget is coming from federal sources and that number is projected to continue to drop by another percentage point or two.

Beginning in fiscal year 2024, COAST saw its funding from the FTA reduced by $341,980 annually because of changes in the calculations that determine apportionments and increased growth in urbanized areas nationwide that outpaced local growth and overall funding increases.

“Over the past several years, COAST has been working to diversify our funding base to account for the shifting federal funding landscape. The communities we serve have increased their contributions, as has the State of New Hampshire,” said Rad Nichols, COAST Executive Director. “We are also working to expand our base of support among local businesses, individuals and foundations. However, this transition is taking time and these strategic service adjustments will ensure that we continue to meet our number one goal—to serve as many people as we can with the resources we have been entrusted with, while also ensuring our continued fiscal health.”

The service adjustments were identified after reviewing ridership data across all COAST’s routes. The fixed routes and runs being impacted carry less than 5% of COAST’s estimated 400,000 annual ridership but cost $491,400 annually (FY25 projection).

Since 1982, COAST has provided nearly 17 million rides to people in the Greater Seacoast region. By linking workers to jobs, patients to healthcare providers, customers to shopping and restaurants, audiences to cultural, recreational and social events, and students to school, COAST contributes an estimated $33M to the local economy each year. The transportation services they provide also serve as a lifeline for many people, an estimated 20-30% of which would not be able to make their trip without public transportation.

“A strong transportation infrastructure that offers options for people at all stages of life is essential to our region’s ongoing economic and social health,” said Nichols. “Ultimately, the long-term sustainability of COAST rests on increased investment by businesses, individuals, and foundations that recognize the contributions public transportation makes to all our lives. COAST’s work to engage these stakeholders is very much ongoing.”

OCTOBER 1, 2025 Proposed Service Change Notice for Route 7 On Demand

service will be available anywhere in Exeter and Newmarket. Service will continue to be available around the Market Basket shopping plaza in Stratham. Rockingham County Aging & Disability Resource Center (formerly ServiceLink) will also be an eligible destination. Service will continue to be available on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Fares for the expanded service are proposed to be $3.00 each way.
The number of trips each rider takes each month may be limited if demand exceeds available funding.
The expanded flexible service is being funded by a generous grant from a local foundation and will continue until September 20, 2026. Continued service beyond September 2026 will be contingent on available funding.

Public input sessions to learn more about these changes and provide feedback will be held as follows:

Tuesday, September 9 in the Exeter Library at 4p

Thursday, September 11 in the Newmarket Town Hall at 1p

Service Curtailment Notice for Thursday, February 13, 2025 (posted at 2:35pm on 2/12/25)

Due to the winter storm that will arrive overnight and result in a snow with accumulating amounts of ice and rain afterwards, the decision has been made to curtail all service on Thursday, February 13.

COAST plans to return to normal operations on Friday, February 14.