The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA) is providing free designated shuttle service during the 2016 National Cherry Festival. Shuttles will run from 10am to midnight July 2–9. They will make continuous half-hour loops from locations at Northwestern Michigan College (Elm lot) and Thirlby Field to BATA’s Hall Street Transfer Station in downtown Traverse City. The station is located just over a block from the Open Space and all the Cherry Festival festivities.
 
“We saw a 26 percent increase in ridership last year compared to 2014 that resulted in 8,853 free rides during the National Cherry Festival,” said BATA Executive Director Kelly Dunham. “We’re hoping even more people consider riding BATA to help relieve traffic and parking challenges downtown, so people can enjoy all the fun family activities the Cherry Festival has to offer.”
 
Visitors, event volunteers and downtown employees are among those taking advantage of the shuttle. The goal of the free shuttle service is to provide an easy way to enjoy the Cherry Festival while eliminating traffic congestion and parking frustrations.
 
“We’re always looking to add more value to the community, and offering services like the free festival shuttle helps people spend more time having fun and less time finding parking,” said National Cherry Festival Director of Operations Kat Paye.
 
BATA is also offering free shuttle service to the festival’s “Orchard Tour and More!” at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center in Leelanau County. Shuttles will make regular trips from 9:30am to 12:30pm, July 4 – 8, departing from BATA’s Hall Street Transfer Station.
 
For the complete 2016 National Cherry Festival shuttle schedule and map, click here.