Park Cedar Rapids Discontinues Downtown Winter Shuttle Program

If you were a regular user of Park Cedar Rapids' downtown shuttle program, you were apparently one of few, and will have a harder time getting around this winter. Due to lack of ridership, the shuttle program is being discontinued.

The following press release has details:

"With regret, Park Cedar Rapids would like to inform our customers that we will no longer be offering the seasonal Complimentary Shuttle program at our facilities this winter. Unfortunately, due to lack of ridership in previous years the program will be discontinued for this year. Park Cedar Rapids will continue to offer our 24/7 Amenity Services program for jump-starts, tire fills, and security escorts. If any of our monthly parkers need assistance with any of those issues please call 319-423-7060."

More information about the 24/7 Amenity Service, which, as mentioned in the press release is still available, can be found here.

My thoughts as to why there would be low ridership are twofold: either it's not a prohibitively difficult parking/walking situation downtown, even in the winter months, or there was little or no knowledge the shuttle program even existed. Better publicity and marketing, especially when shows and concerts are happening, might have helped, although it's certainly worth braving the cold to walk around and enjoy the views of downtown. It could be a big loss for those with physical difficulties getting around in the winter, however.

Either way, I feel if it wasn't being used as expected, doing away with the shuttle service is the right move to alleviate taxpayer spending.

What are your thoughts? Did you use the shuttle service, or would you have used it had you known about it? Let me know in the comments.

[Via Park Cedar Rapids]