The Macatawa Area Express (MAX) transit system in Holland this year is offering an inexpensive way to avoid parking and traffic problems during the Tulip Time Festival, which begins May 5.
To help reduce traffic and congestion, local residents and visitors are encouraged to use MAX’s designated Park-N-Ride lots to leave their vehicles, and then ride the MAX into downtown Holland. Park-N-Ride lots are located at Holland-area Family Fare stores, Meijer stores, Walmart, D&W Foods, and Ditto’s on 8th & Clover Ave.
The MAX also is operating a new 15-minute shuttle that will travel down 7th St. and connect with two Park-N-Ride lots. The QuikTrip shuttle will continually circulate every 15 minutes and will operate from 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. every day of the festival.
For just $5, festival-goers can buy a wristband that gives them unlimited rides on the shuttle and fixed bus routes for the entire festival. Wristbands are non-transferrable and non-refundable. The wristbands are available for purchase from the Tulip Time Office, MAX administrative offices at the Padnos Center, and online at www.catchamax.org. Without the wristband, the cost of riding the shuttle is $1 cash for all passengers (adults, seniors and children) upon boarding, and the exact fare is required as drivers cannot make change. Bus passes will not be honored as fare on the shuttle.
Cost of running the shuttle is being partially underwritten by billboard advertising from Gentex. MAX’s fixed buses operate 6 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays. The fixed bus routes do not operate on Sundays.
For more information on MAX’s services during the Tulip Time Festival, visit www.catchamax.org or download the 2012 Tulip QuikTrip Shuttle Brochure.