[tabi] Free bus rides offered this Saturday

From: Lighthouse of the Big Bend <lighthousebigbend@xxxxxxxxx>
To: tabi <tabi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2011 10:12:21 -0500

FYI

Free bus rides offered this Saturday

12:04 AM, Dec. 6, 2011 |

http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20111206/NEWS01/112060316/Free-bus-rides-offered-Saturday?odyssey=nav|head

By TaMaryn Waters
Democrat staff writer

The city of Tallahassee is pushing for more residents to shop at local
businesses throughout the year, and now StarMetro is waiving bus fares
Saturday as a way to entice holiday shoppers to patronize local
businesses.

City commissioners quickly approved the fare waiver last week at their
mini workshop retreat. Rick Minor, the mayor's chief of staff, said
the idea came from staffers in the mayor's office and from residents.

Saturday was picked since it coincides with the next Local Business
Saturday shopping promotion, which started this year to spotlight
random local businesses across Tallahassee.

Waiving the fees will cost StarMetro an estimated $1,500 in lost
revenue, Minor said. But he said it's a sacrifice worth making.

"We believe the economic benefits to the community would outweigh
that," said Minor, who added the effort could help boost StarMetro's
customer service to riders.

Natalie Sellars, owner of That's Mine Monogramming & Gifts on Market
Street near Market Square, said she had no idea the city would take
such a big hit by giving free rides on Saturday.

As a small-business owner, she said, "It makes me feel important." She
added that she appreciates the fact that the city would show its
support of local businesses by providing free rides on Saturday.

Sellars said there is a bus stop near her business, and she hopes the
effort will encourage potential shoppers to travel to various parts of
the city they may not normally visit.

And, of course, she's hoping those bus riders will spend money.

"This will give us an opportunity to see new faces. As a local
businesses, that's always important," Sellars said.

--
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
Guiding People Through Vision Loss
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 942-3658
www.lighthousebigbend.org
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[tabi] Free bus rides offered this Saturday

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