AppalCart
AppalCART buses in Boone, NC. | |
| Founded | October 1981 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 305 Highway 105 Bypass Boone, NC 28607 |
| Locale | North Carolina |
| Service area | Boone and Appalachian State University with service to rural locations throughout Watauga County |
| Service type | Local and Student Commuter |
| Routes | 24 |
| Stops | 120 |
| Hubs |
|
| Fleet | 43 |
| Daily ridership | 1,938,321 annually (2019) |
| Fuel type | Diesel, gasoline & electric |
| Operator | Watauga County |
| Website | appalcart.com |
AppalCART (Appalachian Campus Area Rapid Transit) is a free public bus network located in Boone, North Carolina. It provides fare-free fixed route and paratransit service throughout Appalachian State University and Boone, as well as low-fare van service to other towns within Watauga County. In 2013, AppalCART reported a ridership of 1,712,873 passenger trips. In 2019, it reported 1,938,321 trips. This number has dipped to $1.5 million trips in 2024. These trips resulted in 900,000 miles of public transit in 2024.
AppalCART is governed by an 8-member board. The current chairman of the board is Quint David. It receives its funding from a mix of federal, state, local, and Appalachian State University funds.
In 2022, Appalcart unveiled a new 45 foot electric bus, one of the first in the state of North Carolina. Electric busses in the system are expected to grow in future years.. AppalCart is working towards expanding their electric fleet, and hopes to have the fleet be 100% electric by 2037.