HOUSTON -- Ever need free parking downtown? A group claims to have the next best thing: free rides to hundreds of nightlife hotspots.
Off-stage, drama downtown circles theater district blocks. There’s traffic, drivers competing for the area’s 4,500 free parking spots at night, and curbside spots good only for parking tickets. It sometimes freezes out stage show fans and people looking to spend money downtown.
“Parking is difficult down here in this area,” said Audra Kuby, a Houston Opera season ticket holder. “So we usually eat at Brennan’s or here at Damian’s (Cucina Italiana) so we can take the shuttle to Wortham Theater or Alley Theatre.”
Damian’s shuttles customers back and forth for free. Co-owner Johnny Mandola said it is a key ingredient to keeping their doors open and customers coming back.
“If they’re worrying about their car or if they (have) to make a big walk around the block from Louisiana, they’re not enjoying their time here, and that’s my job to make sure they enjoy their time here," he said.
To boost sales downtown, its business district expanded free bussing. Since April, Houston’s Green Link bus circles the city until midnight Thursday through Saturday.
“You can have another way to get around if it’s farther than you want to walk,” said Bob Eury, executive director of the Downtown District. “If you drive in, you can park once, and then you can circulate between various places.”
Drivers can also park where it is cheaper. So far, the service averages 140 riders a night. However, with new hotels, Super Bowl celebrations and eight new apartment towers on the way, businesses expect a surge.
“Even if it’s not going to help the businesses, I think it’s fantastic for downtown and another means to bring people to Houston,” Mandola said.
Perhaps it brings less hassle to nights on the town, too.