Ithaca College

TCAT will provide free bus service between downtown and Ithaca College for the Community Fireworks Show on Thursday night, July 1.

This is the eighth year that TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) has offered the service, according to Fran Benedict, chair of the volunteer committee that organizes the annual fireworks shows.

TCAT will begin its shuttle service at 6:30 p.m., traveling from the East Green Street shelter near the Tompkins County Public Library. Buses will run every ten minutes, picking up passengers along the route until 9:00 p.m. Fireworks will begin about 9:45 p.m. Return service will begin immediately following the fireworks and continue through 11:30 p.m.

"Traffic congestion reaches a peak about 7:30 p.m. and immediately following the show," Benedict says, "so taking the bus is the better way to go."

Spectators are urged to take advantage of the free service to avoid the hassle of getting stuck in traffic, hunting for a parking space, or walking to the events. While the bus service is free, passengers are asked to make donations to support the annual Community Fireworks Show.

For more information about the free "fireworks shuttle," call TCAT at 607-277-RIDE (7433).

Contributed by Dave Maley