Beach Shuttle

May 5, 2025

2026 Beach Shuttle | Free to Ride, Easy to Time, and Ready for Summer!

The City of Muskegon is offering a weekend beach shuttle service for everyone! Whether you’re headed downtown, to Pere Marquette, or looping between lakeshore parks, we’ve got your ride covered.

Quick Facts

  • 💲 Cost: Free to ride (Donations to MATS drop box are welcome!)

  • 📅 Dates: May 22 – September 6, 2026

  • 🕒 Hours:

    • Fridays & Saturdays: 12 PM – 8 PM

    • Sundays: 12 PM – 6 PM

    • Passengers transferring from the Blue Line to the Tan Line for their evening return are encouraged to check with their driver to confirm the final transfer window.

  • 🚫 Rules: All standard MATS passenger rules apply. No pets allowed; Service Animals permitted. Kids under 12 must ride with an adult.

  • ♿ Accessibility: All buses are accessible. Free ADA Paratransit is available for eligible riders within 3/4 miles of the shuttle routes during operating hours (pre-scheduled, next-day basis).

  • 🚲 Bus Bike Racks: Available on all buses!

  • Tracking:
    • No set schedule — traffic changes too much for exact times.

    • 🛰️ Track it in real time: Download the MyBus by MATS app or visit matsbus.com/mybus

    • 📱 Text the Stop # to 231-638-4445 to find out when the next bus is coming

    • Passengers transferring from the Blue Line to the Tan Line for their evening return are encouraged to check with their driver to confirm the final transfer window.

The Beach Shuttle is made possible, in part, through beach parking revenue.

We are also incredibly grateful to our early season sponsors whose vital support helps keep the shuttle moving:

Parmenter Law

Julie R Balgooyen Agency

Want to become a sponsor? Check out the Support the Shuttle section at the bottom of this page.

🚍 Two Shuttle Routes

Operated by Muskegon Area Transit System (MATS)

2026 Beach Shuttle Brochure: Click to View Brochure

2026 Map View at the bottom of this page: Click to View Map

☀️ The Tan Line (MATS Route 41)

A continuous loop connecting Muskegon’s most popular beach destinations. All stops are served bi-directionally (North and South), allowing you to travel easily in either direction. The Tan Line departs from Kruse Park every 30 minutes (at :00 and :30). Outbound runs towards Harbor Towne Beach and inbound runs towards Kruse Park.

ROUTE STOPS*

  1. Kruse Park: Picnic Area ( Outbound & Inbound #41001)
  2. Beachwood Park/ Beach Street & Boltwood Street (Outbound #41003 / Inbound #41015)
  3. Beach Street: Area 13 (Outbound #41004 / Inbound #41014)
  4. Beach Street: Water Plant/Kite Shack (Outbound #41005 / Inbound #41013)
  5. Beach Street at Indiana Avenue – Transfer to Town Line (Outbound #41007 / Inbound #41011)
    • Passengers transferring from the Blue Line to the Tan Line for their evening return are encouraged to check with their driver to confirm the final transfer window.
  6. Beach Street & Rodgers Street (Outbound #41008 / Inbound #41010)
  7. USS Silversides (Outbound #41017 / Inbound #41018)
  8. Harbor Towne Beach (Outbound & Inbound #41009)

*Listed stops provide a general overview of service areas with inbound and outbound points grouped together. For precise stop locations and specific stop numbers, please use the MyBus by MATS app or visit matsbus.com.

The Town Line (MATS Route 42)

A city connector route (formerly the Blue Line) from the Herman Ivory Terminal to Jackson Hill and Lakeside to Pere Marquette and the Tan Line. All stops are served bi-directionally (East and West). This route departs the terminal once hourly. Outbound are going away from the Herman Ivory Terminal (downtown) and toward the beach. Inbound stops are going away from the beach and toward the Herman Ivory Terminal (downtown).

ROUTE STOPS*

  1. Herman Ivory Terminal (Outbound & Inbound #99051)
  2. Morris Street & Terrace Plaza (Outbound #99007)
  3. Marquette Avenue & Wood Street (Outbound #99035)
  4. Marquette Avenue & Erickson Street (Outbound #12034)
  5. Western Avenue at 3rd/4th Street (Outbound #22001 / Inbound #22055)
  6. The Depot Western & 6th Street (Muskegon Visitors Bureau) (Outbound #22002 / Inbound #22054)
  7. Laketon Avenue & Henry Street (Outbound #22049 / Inbound #22007)
  8. Lakeshore Drive & Estes Street (Outbound #42001 / Inbound #42006)
  9. Grand Trunk Parking Area (Outbound & Inbound #42002)
  10. Lakeshore Drive and Sherin Street – Frosty Cove (Outbound #42003 / Inbound #42005)
  11. Beach Street at Indiana Ave – Transfer to Tan Line (Outbound & Inbound # 42004)
    • Passengers transferring from the Blue Line to the Tan Line for their evening return are encouraged to check with their driver to confirm the final transfer window.

*Listed stops provide a general overview of service areas with inbound and outbound points grouped together. For precise stop locations and specific stop numbers, please use the MyBus by MATS app or visit matsbus.com.

📢 Why Did We Start the Beach Shuttle?

The Muskegon Beach Shuttle launched in 2025 to give residents and visitors another way to enjoy our lakeshore.

  • With beach parking fees increasing in 2024, the City Commission asked staff to explore a way to make getting to the beach free.

  • Beach traffic is growing fast on weekends, this shuttle helps reduce congestion.

  • Not everyone has access to a car, so the free-to-ride shuttle ensures more people can get to the beach.

  • Most importantly, it’s about connecting our community with the shoreline.

🤔 Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to some of the questions we get asked the most.

  • I lost an item on the shuttle, who do I contact?
    • All routes are operated by MATS, please contact them at 231-724-6420 or email [email protected]. Be prepared with the route number (41 or 42) and the date/time of your ride.
  • Where can I park my car to catch the shuttle?
    • Free street parking is available at several stop locations.

Support the Shuttle

Support this community service while highlighting your business.

If you’d like to support the shuttle by becoming a sponsor please fill out the form on this page: muskegon-mi.gov/beach-shuttle-sponsorship/

With a $1,000 contribution, your business or organization will receive the following recognition during the season (May 22 – September 6, 2026):

  • Web Recognition: Your business/organization name and logo featured in the “Sponsored By” section of the official Beach Shuttle webpage.
  • Social Media Feature: Inclusion in a sponsor call-out post across official City of Muskegon social media channels during the shuttle season.

Please note that there is a $30 fee for paying with credit cards. Benefits are promotional in nature and do not constitute an endorsement by the City of Muskegon. The social media sponsor feature will occur at the City’s discretion. Payment is due in full upon submission, and sponsorship recognition will begin after payment is received.

2026 Beach Shuttle Map

Give Feedback

The shuttle is still in its infancy. We want to hear from you! Tell us what worked, what didn’t, and what you’d like to see next year.