Those celebrating Independence Day in downtown Toledo can also declare their independence from gas prices by getting to and from the city’s Fireworks in the 419 event on Saturday, July 2 by using Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA).
TARTA will run special events transportation from both Franklin Park Mall (bus shelters on Royer Road) and the Miracle Mile Shopping Center (4925 Jackman Road), with buses leaving at 9 p.m. and heading directly downtown.
Trips returning to those sites will depart 20 minutes after the end of the fireworks display, with buses lining up at Jackson and N. St. Clair streets. In addition to special transportation, TARTA customers will be able to ride regular fixed route service to the area before the fireworks show.
Customers can check times for routes 2, 19, 20 and 22 (from Franklin Park), routes 17 and 26 (from Miracle Mile), or see the Saturday schedule for any other route at tarta.com/routes. TARPS paratransit service riders will also be able to secure trips to the event, with drop-off and pick-up points at Jackson and N. St. Clair streets.
TARPS trips home from downtown can be scheduled for as late as 11:20 p.m. The city will be presenting another celebration at Walbridge Park (2801 Broadway St.) that Monday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to noon, featuring music, games, and a watermelon-eating contest. Walbridge Park is accessible via TARTA Route 31. All trips on TARTA vehicles remain zero-fare through July 31.