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MEDIA
ADVISORY
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Mayor:
Jennifer P. Dougherty
CONTACT:
Nancy Poss, Public Information Officer, 301-360-3842
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, March 16, 2004
NEW
DOWNTOWN EXPRESS SHUTTLE AND PARKING LAUNCHING IN LESS
THAN THREE WEEKS
Frederick,
Md. --- After almost a year in planning and development
the City of Frederick is about to launch the downtown
express, a free shuttle and parking program. This new
and innovative program was designed to assist the City
with the parking shortage in the downtown area. In June
of 2003, the Board of Aldermen recommended the implementation
of a satellite-parking program to offer a flexible,
proactive, alternative parking option for the downtown
business district.
The
downtown express will be funded by the City of Frederick
and operated, through an agreement approved in March
of 2004 by the Board of Aldermen, by Transit of Frederick
County. The City estimates it will cost approximately
$200,000 a year to operate. The Parking Fund will fund
the inititave, which is a separate account from the
City’s General Fund.
The
following is a list of frequently asked questions regarding
the downtown express:
When
does downtown express service begin?
Monday, April 5. Service will run weekdays, except for
holidays.
Where
will I park my car?
The upper lot at Harry Grove Stadium.
How
much will it cost to ride the downtown express?
Absolutely nothing. The service is free.
What
time will the downtown express run?
The downtown express will run from 6:30 a.m. - 6:30
p.m., Monday - Friday.
How
frequently will the downtown express run?
Peak Express Hours (6:30 - 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 - 6:30
p.m.) Every 10 minutes
Non-Peak Hours (9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) On the hour and
half hour.
Where
are the destinations in downtown Frederick?
During Peak Express Hours there are four locations including;
City Hall, the Frederick County Court House, the corner
of Market and Patrick Streets, and the corner of Market
and Church Streets.
During
Non-Peak Express Hours the route is extended slightly
to add two stops at the Department of Social Services
and the Transit Center (MARC station).
Do
I have to commit to use the downtown express everyday?
No. This program allows for flexibility. Ride it everyday
or a few days a month, it’s up to you.
Is
the upper lot at Harry Grove Stadium secure?
There is plenty of lighting, as well as a bus stop shelter.
The lot has visibility from Market Street and Stadium
Drive. The Frederick Police will also provide additional
coverage in this area.
Are
there uses for the actual shuttles other than the downtown
express?
The downtown express potentially can be used for special
events such as Frederick Festival of the Arts, The Frederick
Marathon, and In The Streets per the City’s agreement
with Frederick County.
Are
there future parking locations?
The City and Transit will reevaluate the progress of
the downtown express and look into alternate parking
locations in the future. This program is very flexible.
Where
can I find information on the downtown express?
Call 301-600-2065 or visit www.co.frederick.md.us/transit
Other
than FREE parking, what others reasons does the City
have to encourage riders?
Effective July 1, 2004 the following changes will be
made to the current parking policies within the City
of Frederick:
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All
parking meter rates will advance from .50 per hour
to $1.00 per hour.
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The
fine for overtime at a parking meter will increase
from $5.00 to $10.00.
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The
daily rate in the parking decks will increase from
$5.00 max all day to $7.00 max all day.
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Monthly
rates for parking deck passes will increase from
$50.00 to $60.00 in all three parking decks.
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The
number of outstanding tickets required to be a scofflaw
and be towed will decrease from 10 to five (meaning
if you accrue five tickets your car is subject to
towing at your expense).
The
parking along Baker Park of the south side of W. Second
St. will become 2-hour restricted parking.
Many
thanks go to the Satellite Parking Task Force who
have worked diligently since the fall of 2003 to make
this parking concept a reality. Group members include:
Sherry Burford, Tim Davis, Nancy Gregg Poss, Kara
Norman, Bob Smargia, Sandy Dalton, Jonathan Warner,
Robin Santangelo, Alderman David Lenhart, Fred Eisenhart,
Steve Johnson, Linda Byrd, Paul Silberman, and Austin
Abraham. Additional thanks to the Satellite Parking
Marketing Sub-Committee; Nancy Norris, Kara Norman,
Nancy Gregg Poss, as well as the City’s contracted
marketing firm, The Benedict Company, particularly
Emily Benedict, CEO.
The
will be an official launch of the downtown express on
Monday, April 5, 7:30 a.m., Harry Grove Stadium, Upper
Lot.
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