City rolls out free 'Grocery Getter' shuttle
Starting Monday residents of Fernandina Beach will have a new way to get their groceries — without spending a dime on gas or fare.
The City of Fernandina Beach is launching the Grocery Getter, a free shuttle service that will transport passengers to the Winn-Dixie Marketplace in Yulee twice a week. The program runs every Monday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to noon, offering safe, reliable transportation for grocery shopping and other essential errands.
Pickup times and locations are as follows:
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9:30 a.m. – Atlantic Recreation Center, 2500 Atlantic Ave.
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9:35 a.m. – La Surena Restaurant, 22 S. Eighth St.
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9:40 a.m. – Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, 1200 Elm St.
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9:45 a.m. – Bus stop by Dollar General, 1299 Lime St.
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10:00 a.m. – Winn-Dixie, Yulee, 960076 Lofton Square Ct.
Shoppers will have one hour at Winn-Dixie before the bus returns to each pickup location. No registration is required, and the service is open to all residents.
City officials say the initiative addresses a pressing need for transportation after recent on-island grocery store closures.
“This service is all about community connection,” said City Manager Sarah Campbell. “We know transportation is a barrier for some residents considering the current on-island store closures. The Grocery Getter is here to help make essential errands easier and more accessible.”
Passenger guidelines include staying seated while the bus is moving, following driver instructions, and refraining from smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, or disruptive behavior. Riders who do not follow the rules risk removal from the program.
For more details, residents can contact the City of Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation Department at 904-310-3350.
Comments
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Mark Tomes
This is a small start in what should be a robust public transportation system. Makes me wonder why it goes to Winn-Dixie and not Publix over the bridge? Is Winn-Dixie helping pay for this? It's not a bad thing for grocery shoppers, just wondering how it got here. We really should have a free, regular trolley that goes all around the island, and perhaps off the island for shopping stops, too.
Saturday, August 16 Report this
JoeW
TYVM
Saturday, August 16 Report this
PMallory
Winn Dixie’s prices are usually lower for basic essentials than Publix. Winn Dixie (Aldi) on the island should be back in business sooner than the Publix. This looks like a temporary service which probably will help those without a car. Seems like a valid and good idea. As far as local public transportation just on the island I believe there is an Island Hopper bus/van and the Council on aging also has a bus.
Sunday, August 17 Report this
dpwagner
Great idea but a couple of loose ends. Does this include folks with walkers or wheelchairs? Is there help available to get groceries from the shuttle to the person’s house?
Sunday, August 17 Report this