Palm Springs considers shuttle service

Palm Springs is considering a free shuttle service in the city that would be designed to take locals and tourists to and from major areas. “A shuttle helps with parking, it helps with traffic, it helps with a number of things,” said James Canfield, the executive director of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism. “It helps get tourists from Point A to Point B.”

The city’s looking at possible plans for a free, green shuttle system not only to help tourists, but also businesses in the city. If approved, the program could get funding from the Palm Springs Resorts group and some from Measure J. “It’ll be very helpful to the outlying properties and also of course to downtown and uptown,” said Joy Meredith, the president of Main Street Palm Springs.

The proposed route for the shuttle would start on the north end at the Riviera Hotel. The shuttle would take people all along Palm Canyon Drive, making stops at hotels, restaurants and stores. Riders would get a chance to see the uptown design district, downtown, south Palm Springs and everything in between. “We really see a shuttle as a great opportunity to connect all those districts,” said Canfield.

The shuttle would make its final stop at the south end at the Parker Palm Springs then make a lap and do it all over again. Because it’s still in the development stage, the city’s still deciding when the shuttles will run. No matter what they decide, it’s clear residents want the project to become a reality. “We have a lot of tourists and that will cut down and traffic, not only that the people that are indulging in alcohol, would also have a way to and from back and up and down,” said Katrina Parham, who lives in Desert Hot Springs.

The city’s currently taking bids from different transportation vendors. The Bureau of Tourism hopes to see a decision by the end of the summer season.