http://ozarkspub.vo.llnwd.net/o37/KSMU/audio/mp3/centercity_2209.mp3
A new temporary bus route will make it easier to get from Commercial Street to Downtown Springfield and vice versa the first Friday of each month. Michele Skalicky reports.
Those who attend the First Friday Art Walk in Downtown Springfield tonight can take advantage of free bus service to also visit Commercial Street businesses.
The Commercial Club of Springfield and City Utilities will begin a six-month pilot project tonight to offer free bus service in a center city loop during First Friday events. The looping route will travel south on Jefferson, west on Walnut, north on Campbell and east on Commercial to Jefferson. Those using the shuttle service may board at any corner stop of the loop as well as at two designated free parking areas--the public parking lot at N. Campbell and Pacific and the Cox North parking lot at Jefferson and Division.
Mary Collette, board member of the Commercial Club, says they decided to underwrite the project to promote C-Street businesses. The bus route will be offered during C-Street's First Fridays, which initially were hosted in the 1980s.
City Utilities will use the six-month pilot project to gauge interest in making the center city loop permanent. Collette says riders will be asked to participate in a survey.
The bus will stop every 15 minutes between 6:30 and 10:30. For more information, call the Commercial Club of Springfield at 864-7015.
