City Considers Expanding Free Bus Service After Discovering Cars Are The Main Ingredient In Traffic
The Star Circulator carried more than 16,000 riders during Nights of Lights, accidentally introducing St. Augustine to the radical concept of fewer cars.
ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — St. Augustine officials are considering expanding the city’s free Star Circulator bus service after learning, through what appears to be rigorous holiday science, that traffic gets better when fewer people drive cars into the same tiny historic streets.
The Star Circulator ran for the first time during this past Nights of Lights season, with two buses operating daily from 5 p.m. to midnight. The service was free to the public and cost about $40,000, funded through state grants.
According to city officials, the program carried more than 16,000 riders during the event. Downtown St. Augustine alone saw 6,841 boardings, which is a lot of people choosing a bus over the ancient local ritual of circling for parking until hope leaves the vehicle.
Reuben Franklin, St. Augustine’s assistant city manager, presented the results to the St. Augustine Beach City Commission and said officials hope to expand the routes year-round, starting with weekends and potentially growing into full weekly service. He said the expanded service could help residents, workers, and college students.
This is dangerous thinking. First it’s free buses during Nights of Lights. Then it’s weekend service. Next thing you know, people are moving through town without each bringing one full-size vehicle, three emotional support water bottles, and a parking strategy that involves prayer.
Commissioners also said the program got positive feedback. Mayor Beth Sweeney said she heard good things about the service, Commissioner Undine George called the ride smooth and easy, and Commissioner Donald Samora said the buses helped keep cars off the road during the event.
That last point may be the breakthrough. For years, traffic has been blamed on tourists, locals, weather, events, bridge openings, downtown charm, road design, parking, the holidays, and possibly ghosts. But the Star Circulator has now raised a bold new possibility: traffic may involve cars.
The city is planning to bring the Star Circulator back for the upcoming Nights of Lights season, while officials continue exploring whether the service could make sense beyond the annual downtown light migration.
At publishing time, several parking spaces were reportedly nervous, while one trolley bell was heard whispering, “finally, help.”
