Newly re-developed Jack London Square is now offering a free shuttle car service

The newly re-developed Jack London Square is now offering a free shuttle car service that will connect Uptown neighborhoods with Jack London Square in another effort to get business bustling downtown. Scheduled to begin service in May or June 2010, this FREE shuttle service will be operated by AC transit, the East Bay Express reports. Downtown Oakland hasn’t seen a streetcar service since the 1940’s, and this development will add to the general walkability of our city. The city has invested in this service to attract tenants into the city and surrounding areas as well as help existing tenants reach transit stations connected to offices.  With BART, AC Transit, and now a shuttle service which, if successful, may evolve into an electric streetcar service, Oaklanders will have a range of public transportation options that hopefully inspire them to get out of their cars and get about the city on foot.  Oakland office tenants will have the flexibility to meet clients in both ends of town seamlessly.  Not only will the shuttle help employees get around but also visit different neighborhoods during lunch and happy hour. 

According to the Contra Costa Times, “buses will run every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, with 10-minute intervals during morning and evening rush hour, on a proposed three-mile loop between Jack London Square and West Grand Avenue.” A secondary goal of the shuttle service is to alleviate traffic congestion while still transporting residents and local business professionals of North Oakland and Uptown neighborhoods downtown. Once installed, city officials will consider extending shuttle hours past 7p.m. if the route proves to be successful.

Click here to view Jack London Square proposed shuttle route