Oktoberfest expands shuttle service, eliminates free parking

One of Tulsa's favorite parties has begun, and this year patrons of Oktoberfest will find an expanded free shuttle system, but no free parking at the festival site.

Conflicting information about the shuttle and parking situation at Oktoberfest on the official website led KRMG to call Tonja Carrigg with RiverParks for clarification.

On one part of the website, it indicates that downtown shuttles will run every 5-10 minutes, while the shuttles on the south loop will run every 15-20 minutes.

However, a map posted on the same page says downtown shuttles run every 15 minutes, while the south loop shuttles stop every 45 minutes.

Carrigg said the latter information, printed on the shuttle map graphic, is incorrect.

She said the shuttles will run continuously, and that each stop will have supervisors in radio contact with the buses to help people.

She added she does not expect anyone will have to wait 45 minutes for a shuttle at any of the stops.

The locations for this year include:

• Fassler Hall, 3rd and Elgin downtown
• Hyatt Regency, 2nd and Main downtown
• Holiday Inn Central, 7th and Boulder downtown
• Trade Winds Inn, I-44 and Harvard, south Tulsa
• Crowne Plaza, 79th and Lewis Ave., south Tulsa

Carrigg said perhaps the best location would be the Crowne Plaza, as it has the most free parking; also, the WalMart next door can handle overflow, and is also free.

Asked about handicapped accessibility, Carrigg said she didn't know if the shuttles can handle wheelchairs.

She did say the lot west of the festival site does have handicapped parking, and golf carts to shuttle people to the festival.

All parking near the festival itself will cost between $5 and $10.