Capital Transit Juneau

[Anyislandwilldo]

Has anyone used the local transit in Juneau?  It looks like you can take route 7 all the way out to the Mendanhall glacier from close to the port.  Care to share your experience with me?  Thanks.

[GTJ]

You can travel by Capital Transit nearly out to the glacier, but there is a moderate walk involved from the bus stop (fortunately, the walk is reasonably safe, and many people do the stroll. If you have not already done so, view the very good and detailed guidance provided by Capital Transit on its website: http://www.juneaucapitaltransit.org/glacier.

[Anyislandwilldo]

Thank you GTJ!

[kayehall]

On 12/7/2022 at 9:35 PM, GTJ said:

You can travel by Capital Transit nearly out to the glacier, but there is a moderate walk involved from the bus stop (fortunately, the walk is reasonably safe, and many people do the stroll. If you have not already done so, view the very good and detailed guidance provided by Capital Transit on its website: http://www.juneaucapitaltransit.org/glacier.

Is Capitol Transit the same as the Blue Bus?

[cw2go]

1 hour ago, kayehall said:

Is Capitol Transit the same as the Blue Bus?

 

No ~ The Blue Bus is a direct narrated ride to Mendenhall and drops you in the parking lot. 

[kayehall]

2 hours ago, cw2go said:

 

No ~ The Blue Bus is a direct narrated ride to Mendenhall and drops you in the parking lot. 

Who operates the blue bus?  Does it pick up at the cruise terminal AJ?

 

[cw2go]

4 minutes ago, kayehall said:

Who operates the blue bus?  Does it pick up at the cruise terminal AJ?

 

Yes, right off the ship there will be booths set up for tickets to get on the Blue Bus. It's super simple. 

 

M&M tour of Juneau ~ From their site 

 

• Tour departs from Mount Roberts Tramway Lot.

  "The Blue Bus"Glacier Express runs every 30 minutes.
  
  PLEASE check with your driver for last bus times!
  
  Please add Ship name / Date in port to notes section at check out.

[GTJ]

7 hours ago, kayehall said:

Is Capitol Transit the same as the Blue Bus? * * * Who operates the blue bus?

No.

 

Capital Transit (not Capitol Transit) is the government-operated public transportation system for Juneau. It operates standard local transit buses. Most trips depart from the downtown transit center, which is very close to, and north of, the closet berth in the cruise vessel port, though some berths are more distant. The bus ride is about one hour in duration. A short half-hour walk is required from the destination bus stop to the glacier visitor area. Its fare is $2.00 each way, or $4.00 total for a round-trip to and from the glacier visitor area bus stop.

 

Blue Bus Glacier Express is the name of a bus tour operated by M&M Tours Limited, a private company. It operates modified school buses marked "The Blue Bus." All trips depart from the cruise vessel port itself. The bus ride is about 30 minutes in duration. This bus tour provides service directly to the glacier visitor area, along with driver commentary enroute. Its fare is $45.00, and includes the $5.00 admission fee to the glacier visitor area; the local 5 percent sales tax is added to the fare.

 

Although the M&M Tours Limited fare is ten times more expensive than the Capital Transit fare, the extra cost obviates the need for navigating to the downtown transit center, saves half and hour in travel time and the half-hour walk each way to and from the glacier visitor area, offers some commentary, and overall provides more hand-holding for visitors that may be more comfortable for visitors who prefer traveling with other cruise line passengers (as opposed to the local population that dominates on the city's public transportation system). The Capital Transit option is best for persons who are independent, conscious of their spending, and/or dislike being on the "tourist circuit" and prefer blending in.

[kayehall]

Very good information.  Thanks so much!!!