Tigertown Express free bus service adds another route ahead of Tigers opener Saturday

Sara-Megan Walsh, Lakeland Ledger
·2 min read

LAKELAND — Polk County's transit agency has made sure it has all bases covered when its comes to the Detroit Tigers' spring training opener against the New York Yankees on Saturday.

Citrus Connection has added another route to its new Tigertown Express ahead of Saturday's launch. Baseball fans will be able to park at Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Drive, and catch a free public bus to the game.

"Lakeside Village is right off the Polk Parkway," Tom Phillips, Citrus Connection's general manager said. "For anyone coming in off the Polk Parkway, this would be the most convenient route."

The Tigertown Express is a new public bus service that encourages drivers to park at specified locations for free, avoiding stadium parking fees, and take a free public bus to the game. The pilot program launches Saturday and will operate for six of the Detroit Tigers' spring training games.

Phillips said the third route was added after Lakeland Commissioner Sara Roberts McCarley, who serves as chair of the transit agency's board of directors, asked whether any service was considered for hotel guests at Lakeside Village.

Upon checking with Hampton Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, and others, Philips sad he found out about 50% of the hotel bookings were for spring training visitors.

The new route will pick up at the Citrus Connection's Lakeside Village megastop and do a second round of pickups in front of the hotels. Service begins a half hour before gates open and continuously runs until an hour after game end.

Citrus Connection staff will be on site Saturday at all Tigertown Express pick-up locations to help guide visitors and answer any questions, according to Philips.

The other four locations are:

  • Gow B. Fields Park and Ride, 924 W. Robson St., Lakeland.

  • Dick's Sporting Goods at Lakeland Park Center, 919 Lakeland Park Center Drive.

  • Rose Street Park and Ride, 701 E. Main St., Lakeland.

  • RP Funding Center, 701 W. Lime St., Lakeland.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Tigertown Express adds a route for Tigers opener. Here's where to park