San Marcos residents will need to find a new way to zip around downtown come March. The city's shuttle service pilot program, 'Get Around Downtown', is pulling the brakes due to a lack of funding, officials announced Tuesday. Launched in November 2022 to make hopping between jobs, stores, and restaurants easier, the free rides will stop running after February 29, as reported on the city's website.
Speaking about the convenience provided by the service, Transit Specialist Amy Cogdill said, "We are excited to offer this fully electric shuttle service to make getting to work or home a little easier in the downtown area." However, those who were planning to take a tumble into the couch of comfort offered by the now-ceasing service will have to adjust their commutes accordingly. Details about the program's termination and a quick survey can be found at sanmarcostx.gov/ecab, as per the city's last statement.
Initially, 'Get Around Downtown' was serviced by ECab of North America, visiting multiple streets within San Marcos' Main Street District. Aimed primarily at enhancing the downtown experience for visitors, the shuttle also became a relied-on convenience for local residents and employees in the area. Serviced areas included everything from Pat Garrison Street to Comanche Street, providing an accessible and eco-friendly transit option.
The dispatch service, previously available at 512-522-5269, saved many a resident from the vexing hunt for downtown parking by allowing people to summon a ride on demand or flag down a shuttle on its route. Although a lifeline to many, the program couldn't outrun the inevitable chase of funding shortfalls. San Marcos is now tasked with considering alternative solutions or facing the return of heightened traffic and potential business impacts in the bustling downtown district.
Service hours and operational details had been regularly updated on the city's website, which served as a hub of information for potential riders during the shuttles' run. Those updates will likely be replaced by reflections on what was and considerations of what now must be for the citizens who found a rhythm in the ebb and flow of a now-defunct urban circulatory system.
