New Zilker Loop seasonal shuttle aims to reduce weekend traffic jams

Free shuttle at Zilker Park

A new seasonal shuttle service is coming this summer to Zilker Park and Barton Springs to help alleviate weekend traffic jams.

AUSTIN, Texas - Zilker Park was packed with visitors looking to get outdoors and soak up the summer sun. However, getting in and out of the popular spot is not always easy this time of year. 

Austin Parks & Recreation hopes the new Zilker Loop service will reduce weekend traffic jams in the area this summer.

New Zilker Loop seasonal shuttle service

What we know:

The service will run Saturday, May 24 through Monday, Sept. 1, on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

The service will also be available on the following holidays: Memorial Day (Monday, May 26), Juneteenth (Thursday, June 19), Independence Day (Friday, July 4), and Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 1).

The Zilker Loop will take visitors from the less congested Stratford parking lot to popular areas including Zilker Playground, Barton Creek and Barton Springs Pool.

The first two hours of parking fees in the Stratford lot can be waived using a code in the parking app. Weekend and holiday parking at Zilker Park costs $3 per hour. Park visitors can pay and renew parking charges using the Park ATX App.

Map of new Zilker Loop shuttle service (Austin Parks & Recreation)

The route includes four stops: 

• Stratford Lot
• Zilker Playground
• Barton Springs Pool
• Polo Fields Parking Area

Two vehicles will loop around picking up passengers and dropping them at those four designated stops about every 15 to 20 minutes. The shuttles carry two dozen riders each.

No pets or coolers are allowed on the vehicle.

What they're saying:

Kallista Ellis and Jarred Treese were visiting Barton Springs Pool on Tuesday afternoon. 

"We're just visiting here for a couple of days, but we had to hit the loop four times to find parking," said Kallista Ellis. 

"We had to drive through this whole lot probably four or five times to find a spot," said Jarred Treese. 

"What we see on the weekends is a lot of people looping the park and trying to find a space, and that's never a great way to start your family time at the park," said Amanda Ross, division manager for natural resources for PARD.