AppalCART provides Rural Services to those outside of the Town of Boone limits and within Watauga County. All routes are open to the public, and specific fare-free routes are available to those who qualify with Project on Aging. Contact our Dispatch Office (828.297.1300) to request rural route services. Please schedule your ride at least a day in advance.
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If you are interested in accessing the in-town bus service but live outside of the town limits, consider using our Rural Service as part of your commute.
Even if you do not live within walking or biking distance from our in-town bus routes, you may still go into town by utilizing our Rural Van Service.
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Simply, call our Dispatch Office and let them know your desired pick-up location.
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The Dispatch Office will send a van to your area by the schedule listed below.
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Arrive at the Walmart bus stop and begin using the in-town bus service as part of your commute.
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To leave town, you will take the bus back to the Walmart stop and be picked up by one of our vans and taken back to your residence or desired drop-off location within the county.
Rural Services
Rural Service Schedule
Morning Rural Service Schedule Fares
Afternoon Rural Service Schedule Fares
NOTE: Times may vary due to pick-up location and passenger load.
AppalCART can pick you up from a location outside of the town limits and take you to the Boone Walmart Bus Stop. If you wish to go to other destinations in Boone, you will have to use the fixed bus routes or Paratransit service from the Walmart Bus Stop. To return to your destination in the county, you must return to the Walmart Bus Stop for your return trip.
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For Watauga Opportunities clients, pick-up and drop-off locations can include Watauga Opportunities.
Which AppalCART Routes go to the Boone Wal-Mart Bus Stop?
The Express and Red routes will stop at the Walmart bus stop. For more information, visit our Route Maps page for times these routes stop at Walmart.
Project on Aging (POA)
AppalCART and Project on Aging (POA) partner together to provide rural transportation throughout Watauga County for individuals 60 years and older.
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If you are riding for the first time, you must register with the L.E. Harrill Senior Center Director (828.265.8090), or the Western Watauga Community Center Director (828.297.5195). The L.E. Harrill Senior Center (LEH) is located in Boone and the Western Watauga Community Center (WWCC) is located in Sugar Grove.
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Errands and Groceries Trip Schedules
You may run errands and grocery store trips during the scheduled time (see charts below).
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LEH (Boone) Participant Pick-Up Days:
Mondays - Boone, Foscoe, Meat Camp, Todd
Tuesdays - Boone, Deep Gap, Blowing Rock
Wednesdays - Boone, Foscoe, Meat Camp, Todd
Fridays - Boone, Deep Gap, Blowing Rock
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WWCC (Cove Creek) participants have shopping/errand service on Wednesdays only. (WWCC serves the Cove Creek, Vilas, and Sugar Grove area.)
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How do our
POA Services work?
AppalCART
Pick-Up / Drop-Off at
Residence
County Van Service
Drop-off at POA Centers
Rides to Doctor Appointments
Rides to Errands (such as Pharmacy or Bank)
L.E. Harrill Senior Center
or Western Watauga Community Center*
*See information below
Rides to
Grocery Stores after Lunch
Scheduling Requirements
If you plan to go to one of the senior centers, please call AppalCART Dispatch (828.297.1300) at least a day in advance for any POA rides. When you call, please let Dispatch know what errands you need to do or if you want to visit a grocery store.
POA Schedules
Morning POA Pick-Up and Drop-Off Schedule
Afternoon POA Pick-Up and Drop-Off Schedule
NOTE: Times can vary due to pick-up location and passenger load.
Times coordinate with both POA facilities.
Daily Schedule for
L.E. Harrill Center (Boone)
Daily Schedule for
Western Watauga Community Center (Cove Creek)
Transportation Through Department of Social Services (DSS)
The Department of Social Services sponsors transportation for individuals who are Elderly and/ or Disabled. This partnership allows those who are registered with DSS to receive free transportation.
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To learn more about this service, please contact the Department of Social Services at 828.265.8100 and ask about Elderly and Disabled Transportation Services.