Seattle’s popular Trailhead Direct service, which shuttles people from the city and its suburbs to popular trailheads, resumed running in June after a COVID-19 hiatus. More cities are following suit, offering public transit service to trailheads, parks, and areas of nature away from the so-called concrete jungle.

“Trailhead Direct represents what outdoor recreation groups and transit planners alike believe will be increasingly necessary in years to come: an alternative to driving for people who want to spend some time in nature,” writes news site Yes!

Other cities are already using transit to get people to trails, and a new bill in Congress would offer significant funds to launch similar services around the U.S.

Read the whole story, including case studies of places where it’s working, here.