Cultural Loop Bus to Launch at Arts Fest

Doylestown’s many cultural attractions now will be easier to visit, thanks to a new form of public transportation.

A new "cultural loop" bus will shuttle visitors around some of Doylestown's favorite destinations on weekends - and the service will launch in time for the Doylestown Art Festival.

The bus will be free and will run every 20 minutes on weekends to connect these cultural sites: , the and the as well as the , , the , and shopping and dining.

The shuttle will launch Sept. 15 for the Art Festival. Service will run through Oct. 28. then resume on a permanent basis in spring 2013.

With the 100,000 people who came to see , the state, county and borough recognized the need to provide this essential transportation connecting Doylestown’s rich cultural attractions.

Everyone from youngsters, who don’t have to be driven by parents, to older Americans can benefit from this service, which will be operated by Bucks County Transport.

"Connecting the rich and varied cultural offerings in the Doylestown area with the Cultural Loop Bus benefits our respective institutions and gives our visitors the opportunity to experience the wealth of artistic, literary, historic, and cinematic institutions that serve this community," said Michener Director & CEO Lisa Tremper Hanover. 

"We are indebted to Senator McIlhinney for facilitating this service through Bucks County Transport and for championing the value of our organizations," she continued. "I look forward to taking the inaugural run and to promoting this terrific addition to our neighborhood."

"Doylestown has become a destination,” said Rep. Marguerite Quinn. “The price is right on the Cultural Loop for visitors and residents to enjoy the rich culture, environmental beauty and distinct architecture of the jewel of Bucks County. Passengers can enjoy it with family, as well as just sit back, look out the window, and go beyond where their feet might take them.” 

“The Cultural Loop offers a tremendous opportunity to connect more local residents and visitors to the area with all of the attractions that make Doylestown unique,” said Sen. Chuck McIlhinney. “Every local resident should be able to enjoy the museums, dining, history, theater and art of Doylestown, and this free bus route will help highlight these resources to a broader audience.”

“The Cultural Loop gives visitors a convenient way to see our cultural attractions and everything Doylestown has to offer without having to find a parking spot,” said Borough Council President Det Ansinn.

Look for the A-frame sign for the Cultural Loop at the James A. Michener Art Museum/ the Mercer Museum/ Doylestown Library; the County Theater; Fonthill/ Moravian Pottery and Tile Works; and the Courthouse parking garage. Cultural Loop operates Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sept. 15 through Oct. 28, 2012, and will resume in spring 2013.

Funding for the project comes from the Doylestown Business and Community Alliance, Doylestown Township and Doylestown Borough with support from Sen. McIlhinney.

“Township and borough officials, including Doylestown Borough Council Member Det Ansinn, Doylestown Borough Manager John Davis, and Barbara Lyons and Stephanie Mason from the township helped to spearhead the effort,” said Doylestown Borough Council Liaison Lou White.

The project was overseen by the DART Bus Committee which includes representatives from the borough and township, cultural sites, shopping centers and senior citizen residences.

Bucks County Transport operates the Doylestown DART along with the Cultural Loop shuttle.