HOP & RIDES OPEN

The Biltmore Square Mall & Goodwill Industries at 1616 Patton have a special gift to the citizens of Asheville: A Hop & Ride. Starting Saturday, February 14th, drivers will be able to park in reserved spaces at both locations and use the bus to get into town.

The Hop & Ride program is designed to help commuters in south and west Asheville avoid the hassles of driving and parking in downtown Asheville. Each location will have ten spaces; parking is free, although a one-way bus fare is $1.00.

“Most cities call this kind of system a Park & Ride, but we are using Hop & Ride to be a bit more playful,” said Kathy Molin, Transit Demand Management Coordinator for the City of Asheville. “We’re thankful to the Biltmore Square Mall & Goodwill Industries for allowing this pilot program to happen.”

The bus schedule for the Hop & Ride is as follows:

At the Biltmore Square Mall: Route #9 will arrive at the top of the hour from 8am to 6pm, Monday though Saturday.

At the Goodwill Industries: Route #1 will arrive at the bottom of the hour from 5:30am to 6:30pm, Monday thru Saturday. There is no bus service city-wide on Sundays.

A map with specific locations for parking can be found at

Hop and Ride Parking Locations

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The Asheville Transit provides bus service throughout the City of Asheville and other local areas with 24 bus routes running from 6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 6 a.m.–12:45 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Transit maps and schedules are available at www.ashevillenc.gov/transit.

Routes radiate from the Transit Center, located downtown at 49 Coxe Avenue next to the U.S. Post Office. The center provides such amenities as clean restrooms and indoor and outdoor seating. There is also an on-duty information assistant who provides information about routes, or from whom you may purchase monthly and annual passes and ticket books.