Please Register / Login to take part in discussions about the Virgin Islands.
Hi, I'm trying to find a schedule for the public bus that runs on Centerline Rd on St. John. I've found out where it starts and ends and when it runs, but can't figure out where the stops are in between. I'll be staying at Cinnamon campgrounds, and hope to take the Cinnamon trail to Centerline Rd and get on the bus there if possible. Is there a website for the bus, or are the stops listed somewhere?
Thanks!
No, there isn't a website for the bus, and the "schedule" is so unreliable that it's best to call them to see what the bus status is for that day. Their number is 340-774-5678.
The government has no money so I doubt the situation will improve.
If you go to "St John" top of this page and scroll down to "transportation" you'll find the last section devoted to buses and their "schedules". As you might gather from both the brevity and the cautionary note, best you just get out on the road and hope - or, better and much easier, hitch a ride!
The bus runs from the Ferry dock area over Centerline rd. through Coral Bay to Salt Pond and back to Cruz Bay. I have not experienced the joy of Vitran but have read much about it. Mostly that it is unreliable. As mentioned, one alternative is hitchiking. It is a common practice and we normally pick up a hitcher or two during each of our visits. You could always talk to people at the campground or snack bar to see if you can catch a ride to your destination.
The bus runs most days on a semi-regular time schedule. That is the best anyone can tell you. I believe that it will stop anywhere along the route that you want, at least it did the last time I took it.
It may run in the morning and then not in the afternoon. It may leave right after the Red Hook ferry comes in or later. It drives out to Salt Pond and turns around and comes back but the length will depend on how many stops, how many donkey traffic jams, etc.
It is not reliable at all. You make take it all the way out to Salt Pond and then be stuck there. It has happened to many a tourist and local alike.
You can always hope for the best and hitchhike. It is a common practice on island and you will likely meet some nice people or ride in the back of a pick up...be sure to point in the direction that you are going and do not use your thumb.
Best of luck
The bus is great...when it runs. Many years ago, I was stranded at salt pond with two small childern and beach gear. Fortunately, we hitched a ride back to ferry and made some new friends along the way. Unfortunatley, I had to explain my husband why I was hitch-hiking with his babies.
