Gator Aider available for game-day shuttle service

Forget traffic and parking hassles.

Thanks to the Gator Aider University of Florida Gator football shuttle, offered by the Gainesville Regional Transit System on game days, Gator fans can take a shuttle to and from "The Swamp" from five Park-N-Ride locations.

Cliff Skinner, senior marketing and communications specialist at RTS, said last year 68,983 Gator fans used the Gator Aider service for the seven home games and Gator Growl.

"It (Gator Aider) provides a safe, convenient and affordable transportation option," said Skinner, adding that the shuttle service cost is $8 per game and $40 for season passes. The Gator One ID card is not valid for the Gator Aider service.

Skinner said single tickets for Gator Aider can be purchased only on game day at each Park-n-Ride location, while season passes can be purchased at Park-N-Ride locations and also at the Rosa Parks RTS Downtown Station at 700 S.E. Third St.

Skinner said the shuttle service starts to leave Park-N-Ride locations for "The Swamp" three hours before each UF home game, with the last bus departing 10 minutes before game time. The return shuttle service begins in the fourth quarter and runs through the first hour after the game.

Below is a list of Park-N-Ride locations:

SW Downtown Parking Garage, where the shuttle picks up fans on the corner of SW 2nd Street and 1st Avenue. The cost to park in the downtown parking garage is $5.

The Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th St., with the shuttle loading fans at the UF Park-n-Ride canopy on Hull Road, west of the Hilton.

The Oaks Mall, with shuttle service offered in the southside parking lot behind Macy's.

Haile Plantation Village Center across from the Haile Village Bistro, 5323 SW 91st Terrace.

Tioga Town Center, 13006 SW 1st Road, with the shuttle service located in the westside parking lot.

For more information, call 334-2600 or visit www.go-rts.com/GatorAider.html.