St. Pete is launching a six-month pilot program Friday that allows downtown partygoers or sightseers to park in one of two parking garages and then use a shuttle to get from place to place.
The idea is to reduce parking congestion along St. Pete streets on weekends when visitors often have to park blocks away from their destination.
The program is called Park Once and will run Friday and Saturday nights between 5 and 6 p.m. Users can park in either the Sundial parking garage located at 117 Second St. N. or the South Core garage at 101 First Ave. S. Parking fees in those garages would still apply, but the shuttle is free.
Shuttles run between both parking garages as well as along Central Avenue and Fourth Street and Bayshore Drive at Fifth Avenue North and Second Avenue.
Two shuttles will run during the pilot program. The Escot motor coaches are air-conditioned and hold 30 passengers. They will operate on a continuous route with stops every seven to 10 minutes, meaning users won’t have to wait long for a shuttle.
The shuttles can also accommodate bikes and have wheelchair lifts for the disabled.
The routes also connect with the St. Petersburg Trolley and Downtown Looper for residents looking to experience more of the city than just the popular area near Beach and Bayshore Drives.
The program expands on one the city already runs during large events such as Rays games, the Grand Prix, and large-scale events at waterfront parks.
The shuttle is only a part of the Park Once program. Later components, pending approval, include a bike share program, better walkability and new bus realignments.
