BRADENTON BEACH – Banners are now in place as part of the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) ongoing efforts to make more people aware of the free Old Town Tram service.
The free park-and-ride shuttle service is provided within the CRA district that extends from the Cortez Bridge to Fifth Street South and includes the Bridge Street business district.
One banner is at the entrance to the city at the west end of the Cortez Bridge. Another is south of the Gulf Drive/Bridge Street roundabout at the Fourth Street South intersection that marks the north end of the Cortez Beach parking lot, where drivers are encouraged to park and catch the free tram to their destination.
A third banner is located near the east end of the Cortez Bridge in hopes of catching the eyes of folks headed over the bridge and into Bradenton Beach.
The free electric trams also serve the parking areas near the Bradenton Beach Police Station and the Bradenton Beach Marina, the city hall parking lot after normal business hours, Bridge Street, the Bridge Street Pier and elsewhere throughout the CRA district.
Traveling a designated route, a tram is expected to pass by any given point along the route every 10 minutes or so – and the ringing of a ship’s bell signals a tram’s approach.
Upon parking, pickup can also be arranged by calling 941-404-6240. More information, including a tram route map, is available online.
