BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority’s free buses are back to whisk Musikfest attendees around Bethlehem.
ArtsQuest, in collaboration with LANTA, the Bethlehem Parking Authority, the city of Bethlehem, and the SouthSide Arts District, announced the return of free transit options for Musikfest 2025.
The partnership includes the reintroduction of LANTA’s Gold Line shuttle and free fares on Enhanced Bus Service Blue and Green lines throughout the festival footprint.
“After a successful first year of launching Musikfest-specific LANTA bus routes, we are thrilled for this partnership to continue, making Musikfest more accessible to everyone in the Lehigh Valley,” said Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds. “To make our city more livable, we need to reduce car trips where we can, so it’s great to see that moving people more efficiently through our city, so we can all better enjoy Musikfest, is a shared goal of our community partners.”
The Gold Line will operate as a free north-south connector with frequent stops between Shuttleplatz North and Shuttleplatz South. Destinations include downtown Bethlehem, Bethlehem City Hall, PNC Stadtplatz at Payrow Plaza, and the SouthSide Arts District’s Polk Street Garage. Weekday service runs from 4 p.m. to midnight, while weekend hours extend from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
The Enhanced Bus Service Blue and Green lines will offer free rides within the festival area, linking points as far west as Trexlertown and as far east as Easton. All buses are ADA compliant and equipped with air conditioning.
“With stops throughout both the North Side and SouthSide of Bethlehem, EBS makes it easier than ever to enjoy the entire Musikfest experience,” said Steven Fernstrom, executive director of the Bethlehem Parking Authority. “Our garages are just steps from both downtowns and LANTA bus stops, making it easy for visitors to park once and ride throughout the festival and the city.”
ArtsQuest President and CEO Kassie Hilgert said the organization is committed to making Musikfest “welcoming, inclusive, and easy to navigate,” and praised the continued collaboration with city and transit partners.
“This connection makes it easier for visitors to experience all that both sides of Bethlehem have to offer — from world-class music to incredible local shops, restaurants, and cultural destinations,” said Erin Zebertavage, downtown manager of the SouthSide Arts District.
LANTA Executive Director Owen O’Neil said the combined transit services aim to reduce congestion and enhance safety during the 10-day festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each August.
“For schedules and maps, we encourage riders to visit lantabus.com/ebs-bethlehem,” O’Neil said. “Ride, relax, and enjoy Musikfest 2025 with LANTA.”
Musikfest 2025 runs from August 1 to 10.
