MCAT to offer free park-and-ride service from Manatee Avenue to Anna Maria Island
A free bus shuttle system is launching soon to get beachgoers to Anna Maria Island quicker and with less traffic.
Manatee County government announced Tuesday morning that its Beach ConneXion Shuttle is set to launch on Dec. 7 to “help drivers avoid heavy beach crowds” on Anna Maria Island. The shuttle will run through peak tourist season and end in April, operating on holidays and weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“There’s a greater need to provide a travel alternative to access the island in the peak tourist season, especially as Anna Maria Island reaches capacity,” said Ryan Suarez, MCAT’s planning manager.
Manatee County Area Transit will use its existing route along Manatee Avenue as the pickup point. Riders are encouraged to park their cars in the Beachway Plaza at 75th Street West and Manatee while they wait for the next bus.
“In effect, the Beach ConneXion Shuttle, combined with MCAT Route 3 and the Beach Express transit services, increase the overall travel capacity for the congested Manatee Avenue corridor, and serve as a viable travel and parking option for beachgoers during the peak season.”
The Manatee Avenue shuttle loops back to the Beachway Plaza after making a stop at the Manatee County Public Beach, but riders can also use the free Anna Maria Island Trolley to head south to Coquina Beach. According to a release, the trolley runs every 20 minutes, which keeps wait times to a minimum.
In interviews with the Bradenton Herald, some Manatee Public Beach visitors said they weren’t sure the park-and-ride system would work for everybody.
Marianne Stickna, a 16-year resident of Palma Sola, said she felt that the new shuttle would be a great use for the parking lot, especially since Kmart announced that it is going out of business.
“It’s a really great idea to find a use for that parking lot,” said Stickna. “I would try it if I could consolidate my stuff to fit on the bus.”
Another beachgoer, a man named Hubert who is visiting from Germany, argued that a public transit program would require a shift in local culture.
“Americans don’t want to — or can’t — live without their car. You look around and see all the stuff they’re carrying,” he said. “It’s easier for them to drive and then pop the trunk.”
The new service is partially funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, which has agreed to provide half of the funding needed over the course of the three-year start-up period. Manatee County’s share of the cost is $26,500 annually.
For more information on the new beach shuttle service, visit MyManatee.org/departments/mcat.
This story was originally published November 12, 2019 at 12:43 PM.
