Shuttle News

Ridership Climbs to 56,000 on Golden Gate Park FREE Shuttle; 55 Percent Increase over 2002 Summer Season

The Golden Gate Park Concourse Authority (GGPCA) today announced a dramatic increase in ridership on its Golden Gate Park FREE Shuttle--a public service that operated on weekends and holidays from May through October for the third consecutive year. The FREE Shuttle carries Park visitors throughout Golden Gate Park, to destinations from McLaren Lodge to Ocean Beach.

During the five-month 2003 shuttle season, passenger totals increased to nearly 56,000 -- a growth of 55% over 2002 -- and an increase of nearly 26,000 passengers over last year's operating season. Compared to the shuttle program's 2001 initial pilot season, FREE Shuttle ridership for the season just concluded more than quadrupled.

Concourse Authority Executive Director Michael Ellzey observed, "This is exactly the kind of sustained success we require to make the FREE Shuttle a permanent public transportation service to patrons of Golden Gate Park."

The Golden Gate Park FREE Shuttle averaged nearly 1,100 passengers per weekend day during the 2003 operating season -- or nearly double the average weekend passenger total from 2002. FREE Shuttle passenger surveys also show that 70% of the riders are out-of-town visitors; 19% are San Francisco residents; 58% traveled to the Park via MUNI; 14% arrived by auto; and 24% arrived via bicycle and/or walked.

"It's clear from this year's dramatically higher numbers," Ellzey added, "that more and more people know about and are using the FREE Shuttle to enjoy the multiple attractions and destinations within Golden Gate Park. This is great news for residents and visitors who now have a reliable, environmentally friendly, and FREE way to explore one of America's finest urban parks."

JDRF Greater Bay Area

The Walk to Cure Diabetes is a corporate and family team event that benefits the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

The Greater Bay Area Walk to Cure Diabetes is our most cost-effective fundraising event. This year, the chapter goal is $2.1 million.

Come see what it's all about! Contact Amy Gardinier at 415-977-0360 or agardinier@jdrf.org for more information.

If you're looking for an excuse to get out and take a walk, especially in Golden Gate Park, we hope you'll join us.

The energy of the people is tremendous. When you see these incredible kids, you'll know it was worth your while to come out and lend two feet toward helping JDRF find a cure for diabetes.

Special thanks to The Bay Area's NBC 11 for promoting the Walk on their programming in the community calendar and on their web site. Thanks also to Sneaker Partners' Walgreens, Marshalls and Advance Auto Parts, who donate $1 every time their customers "Buy a Sneaker to Cure Diabetes."

If you are unable to join us on Sunday, October 19th, please consider sending a donation to:

JDRF
121 Second Street, 2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105

and in the memo add: "Rugged Elegance Team"

Thank you!

~Jennifer & Tim