Pretty much answers the original question.

Isn't that the strangest response? Aren't the roads public roads? Don't some of everyone's taxes go toward paying to maintain the roads? Why can't a villager or a group of villagers park their car[s] wherever they want to for however long they want to park wherever?

I don't think the discussion is regarding public roads but the parking areas behind the retail shops. From experience I can tell you my wife and I could hardly find a parking space behind Two Jays around 8:00 A.M. on the day of the chili cook off in February. There were two busses and numerous collateral cars getting ready for some day trip. There was nobody in Two Jays and the parking lot was a real mess when people started showing up for the cook-off.

Buses have been doing this for YEARS. Why now? The kids are getting greedy.

Now parking areas make sense. Thanks! Silly me for taking Ms. Tutt literally!

Greedy? How do you come up with that?

Because of what Janet Tutt said about being a leaseholder and contributing to maintaining the roads (which I don't get that). And because of what I just said--Busses have been allowed to pick up groups in TV parking lots for years.

I would really doubt that this has anything to do with the "kids" being greedy. These kids have been very involved in the running of the Villages for many years.

There was at time when there were only 10,000 people here....stuff does change. Somewhere in this thread someone said that if the bus companies want the business they will figure out how to serve their clients.....they are the ones making the money, so since they have a business and work for a profit they must be greedy too.

The Villages developer has always touted the many clubs and extra-curricular activities available to people who buy here. These bus trips of the villages clubs have been going on ever since time and certainly long since there were only 10,000 people here. It's not a case of outside bus companies being greedy. It's a case of convenience for the club members.

All of a sudden they are not allowed, and the reason given by Ms. Tutt is they don't pay to help maintain the roads, whatever that means, or hold a lease. To me that means the bottom line is $. Why did Gary Morse let it go on for so long?

there's no pleasing some people, how dare they limit buses? how sorely do you complain when you can't find parking? so which is it? If you complain about one you get the other so make up your minds. I doubt you all could pick one without bitching and moaning about the other! sheesh! 13 pages of this? really?

We've never had a problem finding parking. The buses load & unload in the most remote parts of the lots. I am not one of the constant complainers about TV, but I stand by my comments on this one.

I thought it to be really confusing about the bus issue because the only bus trips I've taken were with groups which held their meetings in the rec centers and are resident groups. We have never taken up a lot of parking and were always picked up in a corner of a lot and never overnight.

the population here has at least doubled in the last 10 years as has the need for car/cart parking, no part of any parking lot is still remote, please point out the remote parts of the colony plaza parking area....it always seems full.....not so 7 or 8 years ago....meanwhile the number of bus trips has increased each trip requiring parking. this is an observation, not a complaint, it's just the way it is. I guess growing up in nyc, where you might have to walk a few blocks after you park was the norm, makes this a real non-issue for me...you will be in a vehicle to get to the bus no matter where it picks you up, what exactly is the problem? driving 2 more minutes ? you've got to be kidding me!

I can’t believe that space can’t be located in a city of over 100,000 to accommodate Villagers parking in their own city and not having to travel to another community to park.

As the Village population continues to increase, we may see parking meters or a rule limiting us to only one car or golf cart. Now, this is only a rumor!:icon_wink:

For some people going to an external location to park, meet a bus, and leave your vehicle there - could be a bit of scary situation. Look at the population around us. I have to agree with CFrance on this topic.

the buses already use walmart's lot, you know, where that 'population around us' shops...gee, when I put it that way it sounds kind of snobbish..

I wouldn't leave a trash can at Walmart overnight, much less a vehicle.

Why should Wal-Mart tie up any part of their parking lot for Villagers' bus trips, when The Villages can't accommodate Villagers' bus trips?

I cannot be sure, but has this not always been the rule, but is now going to be enforced because of the population explosion and, from what I hear, an increase in complaints.

I don't think it was ever "allowed".

As more people come pushing the envelope a bit over time, I am sure there will be more issues like this.

Just guessing

The problem is the buses are no longer allowed in to pickup residents for day trips. If the people going on bus trips at least ours did doubled up in the parking spaces they didn't take up a whole lot of space. The buses that operate in TV don't have the same price, size or number of buses. So you can't contract with them to do your trips period. You can't convince me there isn't some place that could be used period. And how would anyone know where the people from the parked vehicles are, shopping, at a movie, eating diner, listening to the music in the square etc. The buses didn't park in the square, the people who went on the trips didn't park in the squares, they parked on the outskirt of the parking lots around the squares or in a corner of a rec center parking lot. NEVER did I see one use the Colony Plaza parking lot.

And that is why I think Ms. Tutts' statement that it's causing a parking problem is very suspect.

...

I have seen a bus trip leave from colony. so what is the pricing on the 'inhouse' company? how much more are they? what size buses do they run, they really don't have enough buses? period. As far as I can see they have everything from minivans to 56 passenger motor coaches so why exactly can't I contract them period? have you tried?

of course it is...they are just protecting their vendors, I'd want that if I paid so much to do business here

They had 1 56 passenger bus.
Compared pricing item for item for a trip we had booked $125.00 more then ours. So yea it comes down to money. Beside even IF they had enough buses, even IF we booked thru them the same amount of vehicles would be parked somewhere in TV area period. So it's not about the parking it's about money staying in house period.

I agree with this. If Villages Van had enough vehicles of the right size and comfort level to accommodate all the club trips, it would be one thing--still greedy because more expensive, but I could see their trying to protect their vendors. However, they cannot accommodate everyone.

Our Three Rivers spring training trip to Bradenton leaves (up till now) from Brownwood because in the past it added a half hour each way to the trip to leave from Sumter. Brownwood is never crowded. Can't imagine where else we could leave from down here. Maybe Spars.

I hope the sales agents, when pointing out all the clubs in TV, tell people, By the way, you can only be a member of a TV club if you live in TV. But you can't leave on a trip with them from where you live.

So you can contract with them to do your trips on the same size bus exclamation point. And 2 bucks more per person stopped you, that's more accurate then your earlier claim.

You're missing his point. They don't have enough busses to accommodate a large group. Even if they did, cars would be parked in the parking lot during the trip anyway. So Ms. Tutt's giving as one of the reasons the fact that there is a parking problem is specious.

Ms Tutt's other statement about this vendor paying to maintain the roads in The Villages is equally specious. The Villages Transportation is an Orlando-based company who are leaseholders. What special taxes do an Orlando-based renter pay that would maintain The Villages roads?

In a letter to the editor, it was stated that The Villages is no longer allowing the Amtrak bus to pick up passengers in TV. This is a free bus that transports passengers from TV to the nearest train station.

Parking
 

Why should anyplace outside The Viilages allow their parking to be occupied, particularly commercial establishments which have no reason to do so?

Had Janet Tutt canvassed Villagers to see what we would prefer or offer any options?

Aren't the rec centers totally supported by amenity fees.

We are talking about clubs which organize trips for Villagers.

Those were almost my exact thoughts and words

One day I came out of Banes & Noble walked to my car which was blocked in by a huge bus unloading passengers returning from a cruise. My car (and others) was blocked, people pouring out of the bus then all their luggage had to be unloaded and claimed. I had a doctors appt and could not get out of my parking spot. The driver was uncooperative and after all the luggage was claimed, the driver then went up and down the aisles with a plastic bag picking up garbage. There as nothing we could do

But this bus probably a Villages bus. And I can see banning cruise buses. Those would be in direct competition with something offered by a vendor., non-Villagers are frequently on these buses and cars would be parked for days in the lots. In this instance, allowing only a vendor paying to use parking lot facilities makes sense.

What I cannot see is banning club charters for day trips. Even in high season, there are usually spaces available in the far reaches of the rec center lots. This is stopping Villagers from enjoying activities with their clubs. Seems to me this is part of the lifestyle of TV and is now being taken away.

I do not want a daily pick up to the gambling boats patrons parked where me and Helene go to paint by number in one of OUR rec centers. I don't want to be aggravated by an outside business who is taking advantage of using our parking for their profit.

Just like the wall built in the old area, this probably is something put in place to protect us legally from something that could get out of hand.

You hide and watch.

Have you been aggravated by buses at one of our rec centers picking up Villagers for a club trip? I haven't. Why do you think they're going to gambling boats only? What do gambling boats even have to do with it if it is a club-sponsored trip?

Picking up club members for trips has been going on for years with no adverse effects. You can look at it as an outside company making a profit, or you can look at it as a TV-sponsored club providing additional recreation for its members. Without it TV becomes a little less fun than previously advertised. And Dee is not wrong; I am not wrong; you are not wrong. Those are our opinions, which happen to differ.

I agree with the above comments which are fair and to the point.

When you establish a precedent that is a legal issue. See here;
Precedent - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The pick-up spot SHOULD be on the outskirts of square so passengers have the option to buy food and drinks for the trip at square establishments [ie Dunkin Donuts, Panarras, Winn Dixie] and again buy a meal they return.

Don't those establishments have any input? Maybe they could get involved. If I was them I would have a little "to go" quickie bus meal package.

Maybe that's the solution. A country club would offer the outskirts of their parking lot in return for 40 prepackaged "to go" travel snacks.

Why should we as a city give over free space to a business who is for profit? It isn't a good precedent. There are a lot of powerful businesses that in other areas besides buses for gambling that could do this. They could advertise on Television, all those in the Belleview Leesburg, Wildwood area can park at the Colony rec center, we will pick you up.

It could happen and not just for gambling.

I think this new rule is being established so it won't happen.

Just lookee here;

bus trip to casino - Bing