Streets of Salem on Halloween in 2021. Photo: Getty Images
SALEM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Witch season is among us and people are flocking to Salem, but the Mayor is asking people to leave their cars behind... and take a train or maybe a broom instead.
The City of Salem is advising visitors to park on the MBTA Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line and take the train to Salem this weekend.
"Do not drive to Salem," Mayor Kimberley Driscoll's office said in a statement. This October, a record-breaking number of tourists have visited Salem with crowds continuing to grow. In the first nine days of October 2022, Salem had 276,000 visitors, which is 111,000 more visitors than last year, according to a report from Destination Salem. The data said last Saturday almost 80,000 visitors came to the city.
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The Mayor's office announced there were no more available parking spaces including all lots, garages, and satellite parking lots around 12:30 P.M. on Saturday.
The MBTA added additional commuter trains on the weekends to help with the flow of traffic for those planning on visiting. Shuttle buses are available to transport people back and forth from parking lots located at Salem State O'Keefe parking lot, Salem High School, and in a lot behind Salem Hospital each Saturday and Sunday in October from 10 A.M to 8 P.M. Visitors are also encouraged to take the Ferry to save the trouble of bringing a car.
WBZ's Shari Small (ShariSmallNews) has more:
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