LANCASTER – The City of Lancaster has launched a complimentary shuttle service to provide guests of a number of hotels with easy access to destinations throughout the city, including The BLVD, Clear Channel Stadium, Cinemark 22, and more.
The shuttle operates from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
“Partnering with local hotels and businesses to provide additional amenities for Lancaster visitors is a key component of our ongoing Destination Lancaster tourism efforts,” said Mayor R. Rex Parris in a city news release. “We are working to identify new and creative ways to entice visitors to come to Lancaster, and enjoy everything our community has to offer once they’re here. Our goal is to stimulate the local economy not only by increasing hotel stays, but also by encouraging visitors to frequent a number of other types of businesses during their stay.”
Through the shuttle, visitors have an opportunity to spend a night out and enjoy a safe, convenient ride back to their hotels. In addition, riders can save money, conserve fuel and benefit from the drivers’ extensive knowledge about the Lancaster area. The shuttle has the capacity to accommodate sports teams as well as large groups of up to 21 people.
Hotels served by the shuttle include all eight major hotels involved in the proposed Lancaster Tourism & Business Improvement District. These consist of Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Homewood Suites, Inn of Lancaster, Oxford Inn, Springhill Suites, and Townhouse Motel. The shuttle runs approximately hourly during operating hours. For a complete schedule, visit www.cityoflancasterca.org/hotelshuttle. Schedules are also available at the concierge desks of participating hotels and at the downtown shuttle stops, which are on Fern and Date Avenues just north of Lancaster Boulevard.
The current shuttle service is a pilot program which will continue through July 15. Residents and businesses are encouraged to notify out-of-town guests of this free service from select Lancaster hotels.
For more information regarding Destination Lancaster, visit www.destinationlancasterca.org.
(Information via press release from the City of Lancaster.)
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Nancy P says
There should be a “fareless square” for all local business within a certain area. For instance, Valley Central or 25th on the west, Division on the east, Avenue K to the south and Ave I to the north. That’s just an example. Anyone traveling past those stops would have to pay a fare. That would allow people living around downtown area to go grocery shopping, (walmart, target, Albertson, Vallarta). It would also allow citizens more access to the beloved Blvd. There should be designated “park and ride” parking lots.
Adam Chant says
This is a really good program offered by the City of Lancaster. Not only does it involve businesses outside of the BLVD it helps generate additional sales revenues in the community by providing visitors of the local Hotels a safe and easy way to get to popular entertainment and shopping spots around Lancaster. This is an example of how the focus of the BLVD can be taken advantage of by businesses that are not associated with it.
ed says
Question. Can I park my car at the hotel and use the bus?
Adam Chant says
Not on a daily basis as the bus requires a hotel key card to access the service. There is talk about adjusting the route for certain downtown events to accommodate those who decide to park at a remote lot. It’s been suggested that Lancaster Marketplace and the old Wal-Mart parking lot are a few options as the B Line already travels in that area.
John Mlynar says
[Removed at the author’s request.]
William says
I’m imagining the responses of the bus drivers when a hotel guest asks to go to the Antelope Valley Mall or the Restaurant Row therein. “No can do”.
I doubt if most Lancaster residents are too excited about something that is for out-of-towners. Who is paying for it, the hotels, the BLVD businesses or the city itself?
kristen l. says
if thats what they want then they should have stayed in one of palmdales hotels then, right?
was at lancaster blvd friday night and saturday night and both times it was busy with pedestrians all over and it was about 11 pm.
William says
Really? Why didn’t you go at 2 in the afternoon when it was 99 degrees? I bet the Mall and surrounding restaurants were busy then.
I guess hotel guests will have to catch the shuttle before 11 PM or they’re stuck.