Roots N Blues shuttle buses lower traffic during event weekend

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Attendees at the Roots N Blues music festival in Columbia say the shuttle bus system is convenient to use and lowers the amount of car traffic around town.

The Roots N Blues website suggests festival-goers use the shuttle, which picks up from several Downtown Columbia parking garages or walk or bike on the trails and sidewalks leading up to the gates.

Parking at the gates is reserved only for those with ADA passes. The website says parking is limited to support their sustainability initiative.

"You can park free at any of the city parking garages and get shuttled here right to the door for free," said Jamie Varvaro, festival organizer.

Sam Dickinson and his friends took the shuttle to Stephan's Lake Park, where the music festival is taking place. Dickinson said the shuttle ran smoothly and he had no issues with traffic on Saturday.

"We parked downtown, rode the shuttle bus in, school bus, worked just fine," Dickinson said.

Varvaro told ABC 17 the shuttles are school buses driven by local school bus drivers because there's a shortage of private drivers right now.

"Those drivers are coming off school bus routes and then immediately hopping onto us," Varvaro said.

Watch ABC 17 News at 10 p.m.