Originally Posted by redwitch (Post 1048196)

I can see the no bus policy for non-chartered events, such as the casino buses. But, I totally disagree with no buses for events where a Villages club has chartered a bus. To me, those buses are as much of an event as the art shows, train show, etc. These events cause other clubs to cancel meetings. Have never heard anyone complain. Taking a bus off campus with your club is, to me, just another club event and should be treated accordingly with appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

That exceptions to the no bus policy for Villages buses doesn't sit right in my mind. In fact, it downright smells. I'm not talking about the airport shuttles but the new ones, especially the one for transportation for cruises. It's okay for these buses and patrons to take up parking spaces near the squares for days on end but not for a club? Sorry, it has a fishy smell to me.

Originally Posted by redwitch (Post 1048196)

I can see the no bus policy for non-chartered events, such as the casino buses. But, I totally disagree with no buses for events where a Villages club has chartered a bus. To me, those buses are as much of an event as the art shows, train show, etc. These events cause other clubs to cancel meetings. Have never heard anyone complain. Taking a bus off campus with your club is, to me, just another club event and should be treated accordingly with appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

That exceptions to the no bus policy for Villages buses doesn't sit right in my mind. In fact, it downright smells. I'm not talking about the airport shuttles but the new ones, especially the one for transportation for cruises. It's okay for these buses and patrons to take up parking spaces near the squares for days on end but not for a club? Sorry, it has a fishy smell to me.

Originally Posted by redwitch (Post 1048307)

BTW, I have never taken a bus excursion and probably never will but fair is fair an this policy just ain't fair.

Originally Posted by NJblue (Post 1048331)

I am in the same situation - never have taken a bus trip from TV. However, I know neighbors who are active members of groups who do take trips. They are also responsible for coordinating the bus pick-ups. I applaud them for volunteering their time to make TV a better place to live and feel their frustration when the CDD, whose charter would indicate that it should be assisting such groups in these activities, is actually making life more difficult for them.

Originally Posted by l2ridehd (Post 1048153)

There is no way we can discuss this issue. You will not stick to what I say, but what you think I say. "blow off the concept of a permit system" "bullying their way into a parking lot as you inferred" In no post did I ever state either thing. Good luck Done.

Originally Posted by Bonny (Post 1047992)

No it was stolen. They found it trashed in an area of the Ocala Forest a few weeks later. It went for a lot of joy rides.

Originally Posted by kstew43 (Post 1048464)

thats a shame.......whatever is happening to this world we live in...

Originally Posted by Villager Joyce (Post 1046954)

As I understand it, the problems are caused by the cars left behind in the parking lots. One solution might be for the bus/travel agencies to purchase parking spaces from the churches that have parking lots that virtually sit empty Monday through Saturday. Good for the church. Good for the bus/travel agencies. It could be a great budget enhancer for some of the smaller churches located just off property.

Originally Posted by Kahuna32162 (Post 1046998)

I can’t help but notice that the enforcement of this rule is only targeting “outside” bus companies. The Villages Transpiration, operating out of Lake Sumter Landing, attracts large numbers of customer’s who park in the lots surrounding the hub for sometimes weeks at a time. I also see from their website that they have begun to offer special trips to concerts, shopping and even large buses to the cruise ports. This does seem like a double standard in my eyes and to me, looks like The Villages trying to bully out the competition from other bus companies. Will The Villages transportation be subject to the same kind of restrictions? Or will their customer’s be allowed to continue to fill the lots in front of Cody’s and Barnes and Noble? With the coming addition of the new restaurant in the old TGIF location as well as the continued retail expansions expected to occupy current vacant spaces, what is the plan to accommodate that increase in parking needs?

We are members of the Villages Parrotheads and have enjoyed quite a few of the day trips offered by the group. The buses hold approx. 48 passengers, which translates to about 24 cars parked at the furthest back portion of the Barnes and Noble parking lot for approx. 12 hours. I have never seen a time when the spaces in that lot were so limited that customers of other venues had to seek out alternative places to park. The lot is so empty on any given day that hundreds of bicyclists met up there almost every morning because of the wide open spaces.

As the Villages continues to grow and expand, Lifestyle groups will do the same. I believe that enforcing these restrictions on “non” village transportation companies is wrong and sends the wrong message to anyone trying to plan outings and events for the members of their groups to enjoy.

Originally Posted by Jima64 (Post 1048580)

That would be one heck of a bus if it held 100 people. Try 44 to 50 average.