About this Location

Facility Overview

The Nantucket Regional Transit Authority Garage, situated at 35 Bunker Road off Old South Road on Nantucket, Massachusetts, serves as the primary operational backbone and fleet facility for the island's beloved public transit network, known locally as "The Wave." Positioned on the eastern boundary of Nantucket Memorial Airport, this facility features open-air surface staging aprons, dedicated service bays, and administrative space. Designed specifically to support municipal and regional transit maneuvers, the facility offers a level, generous layout that easily accommodates everything from compact passenger vehicles and oversized pickup trucks to extended passenger vans, ADA shuttle buses, and high-roof electric transit buses. Because the public-facing apron and staging lots are open-air, drivers experience wide-open headroom with no low-clearance overhangs or overhead barriers, making it simple to park or maneuver larger work trucks, SUVs, and specialized utility vehicles.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Strategically situated in Nantucket's southeastern airport corridor, the facility provides exceptional access to vital transportation nodes and southeastern coastal attractions:

Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK): Located less than 1 mile away (a 3-minute drive), serving commercial flights to Boston, New York, and Cape Cod, as well as general aviation traffic.
Nobadeer Beach & Surfside Beach: Popular south shore surf beaches located roughly 2 to 3 miles away (about 5 to 8 minutes by car or seasonal transit shuttle).
Downtown Nantucket & Historic District: Approximately 4 miles northwest (10 to 12 minutes by vehicle or direct Wave transit connection), home to the Whaling Museum, Nantucket Atheneum, cobblestone Main Street, and historic sea captains' homes.
Steamship Authority & Hy-Line Ferry Terminals: Located approximately 4 miles away on Steamboat Wharf and Straight Wharf, connecting travelers to Hyannis, Martha's Vineyard, and mainland Massachusetts.
Tom Nevers Field: Situated about 3 miles southeast, offering expansive public parkland, athletic fields, and open shoreline vistas.
Mid-Island Commercial Hub: Only 2 miles northwest along Old South Road, featuring essential island provisioning, dining spots, local bakeries, and hardware suppliers.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Reaching the NRTA Garage is straightforward from anywhere across Nantucket. Primary vehicular access flows via Old South Road or Milestone Road, which connect the island's historic core to the southeastern villages and airport district. Drivers turn onto Bunker Road to enter the facility. Ingress and egress points feature wide turn radiuses designed to accommodate 30-foot passenger buses, guaranteeing seamless entry and exit without tight pinch points or challenging traffic chokeholds, even during high-density summer travel windows.

As the central operational heart of the Nantucket Regional Transit Authority, connectivity across the island is unmatched. Multiple NRTA Wave bus lines operate in close proximity along Old South Road and Airport Road, including the Sconset via Old South Road Route and the dedicated Airport Route. These routes offer fast, convenient connections straight to the Greenhound Downtown Transportation Center, the island's ferry docks, and surrounding residential villages.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Open-Air Staging & Parking: Surface parking layout unobstructed by overhead parking decks, providing unlimited vertical headroom for high-profile vehicles, vans, and utility trucks.
Transit Intermodal Access: Immediate proximity to NRTA Wave bus routes, offering direct public transit connections across Nantucket Island.
Electric Vehicle Charging Support: On-site infrastructure deployed to support the electrification of Nantucket's public transit and municipal fleet.
Safety & Visibility: High-output exterior security lighting, wide driving lanes, and clear directional visibility across all operational bays and staging aprons.
Accessible Design: Level-grade paved ground with ADA-compliant access routes connecting operational offices and transit facilities.
Bicycle Integration: Immediate access to the island's extensive dedicated bike path network running parallel along Old South Road and Airport Road.

Ideal For

Municipal & Island Commuters: Workers, contractors, and local employees conducting transit, municipal, or airport-related business in the south-central island corridor.
Multi-Modal Travelers: Commuters and islanders seeking seamless park-and-ride transitions to connect with Nantucket Memorial Airport or Wave transit loops.
Service & Utility Vehicles: Drivers with commercial vans, light delivery trucks, and high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles requiring open-air maneuvering without clearance limits.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Observe Transit Maneuvers: Keep entryways and turning lanes clear at all times; NRTA buses, paratransit vans, and municipal fleet vehicles make frequent wide turns into and out of Bunker Road.
Leverage Fare-Free Transit: Take advantage of The Wave's complimentary or subsidized island routes to travel into congested downtown Nantucket or ferry docks without paying premium downtown parking rates.
Navigate with Care: While Bunker Road is paved and accessible, surrounding airport access lanes and side roads can be narrow; maintain modest speeds and watch for cyclists navigating nearby intersection paths.
Plan Ahead in Peak Season: During peak July and August summer periods, traffic along Old South Road intensifies; allocate extra travel time when connecting to scheduled flights at Nantucket Memorial Airport.