Shuttle service gets even better

Mary A. Castillo

As the summer art festivals throw open their doors this week, parking

spaces will become an endangered species until Labor Day.

According to figures compiled by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce,

an average of 600,000 visitors attend Art-A-Fair, Festival of the Arts,

Pageant of the Masters and the Sawdust. However, only 130,000 visitors last year used the shuttle service provided by the city, said Bill

Liebel, deputy director of city public work.

A new look, extended routes and no cost to passengers should increase

usage.

Starting this week, a fleet of seven shuttles, festooned with flags

bearing the new wave logo, will be making stops through town. Routes from

North Laguna, Laguna Canyon at the Act V parking lot and South Laguna,

will meet at the transit center between Ocean Avenue and Broadway where

passengers can depart into downtown or transfer to the festivals. Five of

the shuttles are wheelchair accessible.

“We want people to know that this service is free and it’s here to be

used,” Liebel said.

The city particularly wants to attract more visitors to the Act V

parking lot before they get into town.

“All they have to do is pay $3 to park all day and take the shuttle in

and around town,” said Carolyn Wood, chair of the parking, transportation

and circulation committee and president of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy.

The routes take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to make each loop and

will run through Sept. 1. Continuous service will be offered daily from

9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and hours for the Fourth of July are 9:30 a.m. to

6:30 p.m. Maps are available at City Hall, the Laguna Beach Visitors

Bureau and around town.

“The free service will cost the city an estimated $125,000,” said City

Manager Ken Frank.

However, the shuttles are not limited to out-of-towners.

“These shuttles are for locals and visitors,” said Toni Iseman, city

councilwoman. “Just leave your car at home and get around town for free.”