Oceanside to launch shuttle between harbor, pier

By: DAVID STERRETT - Staff Writer | Sunday, May 13, 2007 1:03 AM PDT ∞

OCEANSIDE -- Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to take a free land shuttle between Oceanside's pier and harbor this summer, city officials said last week.

"It will make it easier for people to explore Oceanside's attractions better," said Leslee Gaul, director of tourism for the California Welcome Center in Oceanside. "It will help build synergy between the harbor and downtown area."

The City Council will decide on the details of the shuttle such as the hours of operation and the type of vehicle at its meeting Wednesday, said Kathy Baker, the city's director of redevelopment.

Baker said city staffers have recommended that the shuttle run from the start of the Memorial Day weekend on May 25 through Labor Day on Sept. 3.

The city has received proposals from four companies interested in running the shuttle service seven days a week during the summer, Baker said, adding that the bids range from $43,000 for an 18-seat minibus to $131,900 for a 24-seat bus that resembles a trolley.

The estimates are based on running the service from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, although Baker said the council could expand or decrease the hours of operation.

The shuttle would pick up and drop off passengers under the pier and then drive along the strand and drop off and pick up passengers at a stop near the harbor. She said it would take about 20 minutes for a shuttle to make the two-stop, three-mile round trip.

Baker said that city officials have discussed shuttle service between the harbor and pier for several years. She said city staff decided to implement the idea this year because of limited parking around the harbor with the construction of the Pacific Street bridge over the San Luis Rey River.

The construction has cut into sales at harbor businesses, said Anne Dietzman, owner of Team Wahine Surfing School in the harbor.

Dietzman said Thursday that a shuttle between the harbor and pier "is a great idea."

"It will be much more convenient to get to the harbor," Dietzman said. "People will be able to visit both the harbor and pier -- they will get to see Oceanside as a whole."

Oceanside resident Bob Adams, who was sipping coffee at the harbor Thursday, said he would ride the shuttle because it would be convenient.

"Tourists and residents would love it because once you park, you don't want to keep moving your car," said Adams, who added that he enjoys coming down to the harbor several times a week.

Adams said visitors and residents would probably even be willing to pay 50 cents or 75 cents for a shuttle trip if necessary.

City officials said last week that they wanted the shuttle to be a free service to encourage people to ride it, but several council members suggested limiting the hours to save money.

Councilman Rocky Chavez, who has worked with staffers on the proposal, said the shuttle could run only Fridays to Sundays as a way to reduce costs while still providing a service during the busiest times of the week.

Council members Jerry Kern and Esther Sanchez said businesses that will benefit from the shuttle could also help offset operating costs in the future once the transportation system is established.

Baker said city staffers have recommended that the city use this year's shuttle service to determine ridership and then ask downtown and harbor businesses to help defray operating costs in future years.

Jeremy Cohen, the developer of a 336-room Westin resort proposed across from the pier, said "we would be supportive and want to contribute" to a shuttle system.

"It would be a great amenity to help people get around," Cohen said. "Linking the downtown and harbor would benefit both areas."

Cohen said Oceanside has the only harbor between Dana Point and Mission Beach, making it a natural draw for tourists. The long wooden pier is also a landmark for the beach community, said Kim Heim, director of MainStreet Oceanside, a downtown business group.

"Ultimately, people come to Oceanside to visit our unique resources -- the pier and harbor," Heim said. "(The shuttle service) will be a real win-win."

-- Contact staff writer David Sterrett at (760) 901-4067 or dsterrett@nctimes.com.