Shuttle Service in Place to Free Up Parking Space

The city is taking steps to free up more parking along Main Street by starting free shuttle service and extending the hours of operation for parking meters.

The changes encourage Main Street retail employees to use a beach parking lot to open up spaces for shoppers and tourists, said planning manager Karen Ginsberg.

The shuttle, which will run between the parking lot south of the pier and the corner of Ocean Park Boulevard and Ashland Avenue, will begin July 3 and end Labor Day weekend.

The shuttle will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. Sunday; 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturday.

As part of the $35,000 program, the $7 flat rate parking fee at the pier lot will be changed to an hourly rate of $1.50, not to exceed $7 a day. A flat rate of $3 will be charged after 4 p.m., she said.

And meter hours along Main Street will change to 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Sundays. Currently meters on Main are free after 6 p.m. and on Sundays.

The meter change, which will happen this summer, will result in a $140,000 revenue increase for the city, she said.