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Muskegon staff recommend free weekend beach shuttles funded by parking revenue for summer 2025
Summary
City staff proposed two free shuttle services for Memorial Day–Labor Day 2025 — a beach circulator and a downtown‑to‑beach connector — costing $39,500 and paid from expected parking revenue; commissioners asked about routing, signage, accessibility and potential sponsorships.
City staff recommended the commission approve two free weekend shuttle services for the 2025 summer season, running roughly from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with an estimated program cost of $39,500 to be covered by anticipated increases in parking revenue.
The program includes: a beach circulator that will operate near the shore (between Harbour Town Beach and Kruesi Park) two to three rotations per hour on weekend hours (Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.), and a downtown‑to‑beach connector planned to run from a staging point near the downtown transit center (Morris Street lot) through Lakeside to Pere Marquette Beach at similar frequency. Staff recommended contracting Pioneer Resources for the downtown connector ($25,100) and using an existing provider (Matt’s) for the beach circulator.
The service would be free to riders. Staff said the cost estimate reflects bids received and that Pioneer’s bid for the downtown connector was significantly lower than an alternative. Proposed funding is drawn from parking revenue increases adopted after fee changes in late 2024. The shuttle connector location was chosen in part to leverage existing MATS (regional transit) routes into the downtown hub for riders from neighboring communities.
Commissioners asked for more details on route maps, signage, stop locations and whether bikes and wheelchair users would be supported; staff said signage and stop details were still being finalized, that buses accommodate wheelchairs and likely bikes, and that staff will survey riders and reevaluate service at season’s end. Commissioners also discussed possible sponsorships to help expand routes or hours, and whether holiday or extended evening hours (for example, extending Friday/Saturday service to 9 p.m.) should be considered. The manager said staff would reexamine hours after initial performance and user feedback.
Commissioners emphasized connectivity goals — linking downtown, Lakeside, Pere Marquette and neighborhood nodes — and some requested additional stops (NIMS, Jackson Hill) be considered as the program matures. Staff said they started with a simpler plan to maintain desired frequency (2–3 trips/hour) and would consider expansion after monitoring ridership and obtaining survey data. The commission will consider the item at an upcoming meeting for formal approval.
