That idea, a free shuttle from the Village to Villa Montalvo for summer concerts, has been a huge success by all accounts. Merchants and Villa Montalvo officials say that they will be happy if the shuttle service becomes an ongoing program.

The service was started by the city last year to encourage Villa Montalvo patrons to dine in the Village before attending a concert. The program gives concert-goers a free shuttle ride to Montalvo in return for dining at a restaurant on Big Basin Way.

"On a recent concert night, I met this couple in the Village who had driven over from San Mateo. They had never been to Villa Montalvo and they were having a fun evening. This is exactly the thing that is going to help the downtown area," Bruce Labadie, director of performing arts at Villa Montalvo, said.

He said that the shuttle service had averaged 15 to 45 people per show. "It's much more than last year," Labadie said.

This year, the city contributed $7,000 to the program while Villa Montalvo shelled out another $5,000. The rest of the money was raised by the merchants. "There are about 30 different businesses, banks and individuals that helped out," Labadie said.

Mayor Kathleen King said the free shuttle program ties in perfectly with the city's plans to improve the business climate in the Village.

"I have heard good things about the shuttle service," King said. "It might take a little time for more people to know about it."

King said she had noticed a new interest and energy about issues concerning the Village. "We're trying to improve the parking situation," she said. "We will soon have a task force in the Village to evaluate what will benefit businesses the most." King also said that since a substantial portion of the city's sales tax revenue comes from the Village, the city is working to ensure a better future for the merchants.

Josiah Sloane, owner of Saratoga's acclaimed Sent Sovi restaurant, said that he got some business between 5 and 6 p.m., largely because of the free shuttle.