Free bus route now runs from Pensacola to Pensacola Beach

From staff reports

A free bus route intended to help commuters travel during the Pensacola Bay Bridge outage has added Pensacola Beach to its list of stops.

The Pensacola Bay Bridge was put out of service in mid-September after Skanska USA construction barges crashed into the structure during Hurricane Sally and severely damaged it. 

The Florida Department of Transportation, in partnership with Escambia County Area Transit, has established a free bus service between Pensacola, Pensacola Beach and Gulf Breeze to help relieve congestion on alternate roads while the bridge is out for repairs. The route initially ended at the Tiger Point Community Center.

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Free bus route stops

The new service begins at the ECAT Transfer Center at 1515 W. Fairfield Drive at 6 a.m. and ends at Palm Beach Club on Pensacola Beach, with the last stop at 8:50 p.m.

The route from Pensacola Beach starts at Pensacola Beach Club at 6:05 a.m. and ends at the Pensacola Bay Center at 8:20 p.m. Buses will stop at Tiger Point Community Center, Gulf Breeze Hospital, the boardwalk and the Palm Beach Club. The route is about 43 miles, and riders should expect a trip of about one hour.

Additional details, including bus times and schedules, are available at GoECAT.com

FDOT is exploring alternative transportation solutions for safely and efficiently moving people and goods through the region while the Pensacola Bay Bridge is being repaired. The department also is assisting local governments as they apply for emergency federal relief funds.

Bus fares remain suspended because of damage to the Pensacola Bay Bridge.