The City of Salem’s free October weekend shuttle returns for its fifth year on October 1. Visitors are strongly encouraged to utilize the free parking at the shuttle satellite lots and ride the free shuttle into downtown Salem.

New this year, the service will operate every weekend in October, instead of just the final couple weekends. In addition, the number of shuttle buses has also been increased this year.

Shuttles run October 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, and 29-30 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. between three free satellite parking lots and downtown Salem.

Park for free at any one of the three free satellite parking lots – Salem State University’s O’Keefe Center parking lot (225 Canal Street), Salem High School (77 Willson Street), and 108 Jefferson Avenue behind Salem Hospital.

Together the three satellite lots offer nearly 800 free parking spaces. The downtown pick-up/drop-off location is in Riley Plaza.

An accessible shuttle is available for those who require one and stops at the High School and Jefferson Avenue lots, as well as Riley Plaza.

“Since we began this free service in 2017 our October shuttles have provided more than 36,000 rides to over 18,000 people,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “Allowing visitors to park at these satellite lots has helped reduce demand for downtown parking and lessen the number of cars driving into and around downtown. Since 2017 the service has kept thousands of cars out of downtown Salem. While visitors use the shuttle, we also see many Salem residents use it to easily get to and from downtown Salem on October weekends. I encourage everyone planning a visit to Salem this October to make use of the free satellite parking lots and this free shuttle service.”