The city of St. Petersburg is hoping more people will use its downtown park-and-ride program.

ParkOnce provides a free shuttle bus to Beach Drive or Central Avenue on weekends for those who park at the Sundial or South Core garage. The intent is to unclog the thick downtown traffic caused by motorists hunting for on-street parking.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, only nine people used the 30-seat shuttle when it debuted the first week of November, and only 75 the following weekend.

This Friday, motorists will be able to park at the two garages for free. City officials are hoping to get more people to use the shuttle, which runs from 5 p.m. to midnight.