ZooNooz: Free Eastside Shuttle Edition

Woodland Park Zoo by TheQ! from the Seattlest Flickr pool. This gorilla will judge you if you don't take the bus.

Parking at Woodland Park Zoo can get a little hairy. Every Saturday and Sunday, angsty-looking parents in SUVs and minivans putter in circles around Phinney Ridge, trying to find a space to squeeze in and get out. By the time they've found a spot, most of the animals have gone inside for the day, or worse--it's started to rain. But this summer, if you skip the circling routine, you can save a couple of bucks on admission, or ride for free altogether.

Today, the zoo, in partnership with King County Metro, has announced some pretty cool new ways to leave the car parked, and still see the beasts.

First, each household with a zoo membership will receive two free vouchers bus vouchers to get there. Which is pretty neat for members--and probably something that should have been offered a long time ago.

And if you're not a member? Just show your valid Metro transfer or ORCA card when you buy your ticket, and each rider will save $2 on admission. Which is almost as much as it will cost you to ride the bus one way. The pilot program, which runs through September 30th, will be evaluated for success afterward. Our bet? That riders will think it would be better if it actually covered the cost of a round-trip.

Zoo-goers who get the best deal out of the zoo's new plan, though, are Eastsiders. Starting June 25, the zoo is offering a free shuttle service, departing from the South Kirkland Park and Ride. The shuttle, which has plenty of space for car seats, strollers, and other baby-containers, will run from about 9 a.m. until about 6 p.m. More information about the shuttle service is available on the zoo's website.