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Many at The Parks unaware of shuttle

Even traffic that doesn't move smoothly is no longer news. People expect a high level of inconvenience in their daily commute. Witness the trouble Arlington had during the Christmas season of 2000, implementing an unpublicized mini-transit system for holiday shoppers.

This article is copyright 2000, the Arlington (Dallas) Morning News.

Many at The Parks unaware of shuttle

Teresita Flasco and Karen Mordecai didn't let their pregnancies or parking problems get in the way of a good shopping day.

The pair, unaware of a new free bus service to The Parks at Arlington mall, braved the cold morning and wet weather Friday to shop. Luckily, they managed to snag a parking space roughly six cars down from the mall's main entrance.

Despite their parking proximity to the mall, the women said they were glad to discover that Mission Arlington was providing golf carts and drivers who could ferry them to their cars.

"I didn't know about the shuttle and it definitely would have helped, but traffic really hasn't been that bad," Mrs. Flasco said.

Rather than take advantage of the first day of the free bus service, many Arlington shoppers instead drove to the mall.

Mayor Elzie Odom, who rode a bus Friday morning, said the service is working but needs more publicity.

"It's a wonderful service," he said. "It's doing exactly what we thought it would do. I got on at Lamar [Boulevard] near Collins [Street], and 23 minutes later I was at The Parks mall in rainy, bad weather."

Mr. Odom said this service probably wouldn't be an accurate gauge of how a public transportation system would work.

"This is intended to get people to the mall, not to their places of employment," the mayor said. "It's not going to [the] GM [plant] or the main employment centers."

John Brown, an accident investigator for the Police Department, said the traffic in Arlington was much less than authorities had expected. He said the manageable traffic flow could change on Saturday.

"More people will be off work this weekend," he said. "It's the start of the Christmas rush. We probably will see more tomorrow." Ron Briggs, a shuttle driver who worked a 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift Friday, said he had few customers.

"I had three UTA students, and they were the first I picked up all morning except for the mayor," Mr. Briggs said, referring to Mr. Odom's appearance. "I don't think people know what's going on yet."

The bus driver said the only real rough traffic area he experienced was between Pioneer Parkway and Lamar Boulevard.

"Of course, this is a holiday, and most people aren't going to work," Mr. Briggs said. "I bet there will be more people tomorrow and Monday. I don't think Sunday will be too bad."

Vernon Baker, another bus driver working the same shift, said he expects the pace of customers to pick up. Mr. Baker said he had about 10 riders after five hours of driving on Friday.

Buses will transport shoppers to the mall at half-hour intervals between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The free service will be available until Dec. 26.

Passengers will be picked up at stops along Matlock Road, Cooper Street, Collins Street, Lamar Boulevard, Center Street and Pioneer Parkway as well as at Arlington Memorial Hospital. Schedules are posted at the City of Arlington Web site, www.ci.arlington.tx.us.

Bernie Champagne, a volunteer for Mission Arlington, stayed busy on Friday shuttling shoppers in her golf cart. Mrs. Mordecai and Mrs. Flasco were among her customers.

Ms. Champagne appeared calm as she skillfully negotiated the vehicles driving back and forth in the busy parking lot.

"It's a golf cart, so it's not too difficult," Ms. Champagne said. "On a day like today you wouldn't believe how blessed it is for all the people who need rides to their car, like those two girls."

Mrs. Mordecai is expecting her child Dec. 11, and Mrs. Flasco's due date is Dec. 21. The two said they are best friends.

Mrs. Flasco said she was very selective in her choice of mall parking.

"I drove around in circles until I found a close spot," Mrs. Flasco said.

Ben Tinsley can be reached at btinsley@dallasnews.com or 817-436-4155.

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