Have you been frustrated with limited parking downtown in Eureka Springs or avoided shopping downtown because you’d have to hoof it back to your remotely parked car?
Those are questions posed by purveyors of a new downtown transport service, the Shuttle Bug. The brainchild of downtown merchants Jim Nelson and Jayme Brandt, the Shuttle Bug will make it easier for people to get around, especially those parking at the public lot on Planer Hill.
Nelson, who has been a local retailer since 1975, said they have particularly heard that locals don’t shop downtown because it isn’t convenient. Even if they park downtown, there can be a lot of walking up and down, and two-hour parking meter feedings.
“We want it to be as convenient as possible,” Nelson said. “Ideally, riders will be picked up and dropped off along our route. With three round trips an hour, our niche is flexibility and spontaneity. We’re trying to be problem solvers. This is a community service and no subsidies, grants or taxes are involved. This is citizens acting in a place government is not. The Planer Hill parking lot is beautiful, but not used enough. With the Shuttle Bug, transit will see better traffic at Planer Hill.”
The two businessmen are banking on hotels, restaurants and stores to join in promoting the service. Participating businesses offering a discount to Shuttle Bug riders will automatically have access to promotional space within the van, and the business name will be on the back of every ticket. Participating businesses will have a Shuttle Bug logo on display at their store or restaurant.
Businesses that give riders a discount can help offset the shuttle ticket price.
“Businesses win, riders win, our town wins – what a great deal!” Nelson said. “Businesses get more customers, customers get more convenience, and the town gets more sales tax revenues.”
Brandt said they are working to be active solvers rather than complainers. He believes the 14-passenger shuttle could also be good for the transit system by increasing use of the Planer Hill parking lot.
Brandt, who has been in retail downtown for 12 years, said he has frequently heard complaints from customers about parking, as those who park at Planer Hill like the walk to downtown early in the day. But later, after they’ve shopped and explored and are thinking about food, the idea of trekking back up the hill carrying packages isn’t that attractive – particularly when it’s hot, cold, windy or rainy, or simply too far to unload packages and start over.
“It’s an investment in time and effort to get back, and some people may leave after getting back rather than walking back downtown to eat dinner,” Brandt said. “This keeps them in the shopping district. They can drop off packages and go back to eat. You can get a ride to Local Flavor and back, for example.”
“For visitors or locals, the Shuttle Bug works,” says a flyer promoting the shopping van. “Park at Planer Hill, then just choose where to be dropped off. It can be anywhere in town along the designated route from the Historical Museum to the Post Office. Or, if you’re already in town, just hail the white shuttle and go anywhere on its route. When you’re ready to be driven to another place on the route or return to the Planer Hill lot, wave at the white shuttle to be picked up at easy access points.”
For $5, riders get unlimited rides from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Eureka Transit System offers rides, as well. But when it comes time to return to Planer Hill, the route goes all the way through the historic district before returning to that lot. Tourists might enjoy the ride, once, but locals are more likely to find it too time consuming. Plus, the shuttle will run three round trips an hour meaning riders won’t have to wait long before catching a ride.
“There are other good places in Eureka Springs, but downtown is where people usually want to be,” Brandt said. “This is solving congestion by creating a shopper friendly service with fewer cars. We have set it up to take care of you. Shop, look around and don’t be stressed about getting back to where you parked at Planer Hill.”
The business is being run as a community service with profits donated to local charities.
Plans are for the 24-trips a day shuttle, which will run Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, to begin the first weekend in May.
Hi Becky,
I just read the article and had a few things that I might point out. The EurekaTransit System does offer two routes that leave the downtown Depot and head directly uphill to Planer Hill Park and Ride so you don’t have to ride the historic loop, they are the purple route and the blue route. Also an important thing not mentioned about Planer Hill Park and Ride is that you have to pay $5 for all-day parking or if you buy a $6 all day trolley pass you get parking for $2. Transit also has a $4 one ride ticket for those who want a ride from the Downtown Depot back up Planer Hill. I think the shuttlebug is a great idea.