'Hampton Hopper' Shuttle Back For Summer In East Hampton

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A popular East Hampton shuttle service, Hampton Hopper, is back for the 2021 summer season.

According to East Hampton Town officials, the free service includes pickups and drop-offs on a Montauk loop; the town has partnered with Stony Brook Medicine to provide service through Labor Day weekend, seven days a week for 12 hours per day.

East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc said with pandemic restrictions lifted, the summer is expected to be a busy one, and this year, the bus service has been expanded to provide public transportation, ease Montauk traffic, and promote sustainability efforts.

The East Hampton Town Board voted unanimously to approve the use of up to $100,754 in budgeted and surplus funds to pay for the service, which runs through Labor Day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with two buses making regular stops at 12 Montauk locations from Hither Hills State Park to downtown, the Long Island Rail Road station, and the dock area.

In addition, a new route linking East Hampton Village to Montauk, with a stop in Amagansett, is being added by the Hopper. The additional route is being funded by Stony Brook Medicine and a suggested fare is still to be determined. The bus will operate Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:55 p.m.

Town officials said the Hopper service was well-received when the program launched in 2018, with ridership increasing as service continued in 2019; the program was suspended in 2020 due to COVID-19.

State grants that initially covered a large portion of the costs were not available this year; limited service, underwritten by Stony Brook Medicine, had been planned for this summer until arrangements were made by the town for the full shuttle service.

“I am pleased that the town is able to reinstate the Montauk shuttle service which was suspended
last season due to the pandemic," Van Scoyoc said. "By offering this free shuttle we advance our goals of reduced emissions, fewer vehicles on the roadways, and lesser demands for parking.”