The North Fork is loved for many things, its simplicity being one of the most captivating attractions. The abundant farmland and quaint Main Streets transport visitors back to another place in time. From Sept. 9 to Nov. 11, even the method of transportation can be charming when a new North Fork trolley service runs every Saturday.
The fall service will act as a pilot program. The hope is to gain insights on what is needed to launch a more permanent service in the future.
“We have a lot of traffic out here, especially coming up to peak fall season,” said president of the North Fork Promotion Council Duncan Kennedy. (The North Fork Promotion Council helped develop and launch the service.) “Between the harvest activities, Greenport Maritime Festival and North Fork TV Festival, we want to alleviate some of the road restrictions and encourage people to move around in a safe and easy fashion.”
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Two separate trolley routes will transport up to 30 riders at a time to various stops. For the first five Saturdays from 12-8pm, two trolleys will run on a continuous loop from the Greenport LIRR station to Greenport Harbor Brewery at Peconic Lane. Starting Oct. 14, the trolleys will begin at the Mattituck LIRR station to Greenport Harbor Brewery again, stopping at numerous vineyards and restaurants.
The maximum wait time will be about 30 minutes, but passengers can download the RIDEHOP app to track the progress of the shuttle and plan activities accordingly.
Those who wish to ride the trolley can either pay $10 for an all-day pass or $5 for a single ride. The service will be complimentary Sept. 9 and Oct. 14. The spacious, wooden interior is surrounded by large windows perfect for taking in the vineyards and country-style homes and restaurants.
But the scenery on the route is only half the beauty. “People can leave the car behind and go to the farm stands, vineyards and partake in other daytime activities, but they can also catch a trolley and go to another village for dinner.”