New Juror Shuttle Service Starts Monday

For immediate release: July 25, 2006
Contact: (561) 233-4432 Phyllis Koch, Director, PBC Electronic Services and Security

Beginning Monday, July 31, citizens reporting for jury duty at the Main Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach should park at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. From there, specially contracted Palm Tran buses and Molly’s Trolleys will take jurors to the courthouse. Trolleys will return them to the convention center.

The ¾-mile trip takes only about 10 minutes, and the service runs continuously throughout the day until all jurors have been released. Jurors can wait in air-conditioned comfort inside the convention center’s south lobby and be dropped off in front of the courthouse’s west entrance on Quadrille Avenue. Jurors will be picked up at the same stop and taken back to their vehicles.

Two buses run from the convention center to the courthouse from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and three trolleys run continuously back and forth from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. If a court case runs later than 6 p.m., an extra trolley will be assigned.

“We really think jurors will find this easier and more convenient than trying to find a parking space on their own,” said Phyllis Koch, director of the County’s Electronic Services and Security (ESS) Division. “Right now when the garage is full, they may have to park seven or eight blocks away and walk, maybe in bad weather.”
Koch said the trolleys have been fitted with safety rails and roll-down flaps to protect riders from the rain.

To assist with the transition, the County is asking the following:

• Juror parking at the convention center is free; please bring your summons or Juror ID badge with you each day.
• Enter via the east entrance off Okeechobee Boulevard; signs and attendants will direct you.
• Arrive at the convention center at least 30 minutes before your juror reporting time at the courthouse.
• Leave any courthouse security-prohibited items in your vehicle (firearms, knives, scissors, sharp objects, etc.) and be sure to lock your vehicle.
• Jurors are welcome to take the trolley to CityPlace or other downtown locations for lunch or for entertainment after they have been released.
• Parking attendants and County personnel are available on site to answer questions or call the parking office at 355-3235.

The free juror shuttle service will continue at least until expansion of the courthouse parking garage is completed toward the end of 2007. For more information, please contact Phyllis Koch at 233-4432.