Commuters relying on the bus to get to work will have a new place to park in Coupeville.

The park and ride lot moved across the street to the Good Shepherd Assembly of God Church located on South Main Street.

Martha Rose, Island Transit director, said Island Transit worked out an arrangement that will allow Island Transit to use the church’s lot during the week for commuters.

The new park and ride lot has space for 40 cars, which is about twice as large as the old one that was located in front of the elementary school’s multi-purpose room.

The extra size will be a benefit for bus riders as gas prices continue to increase.

“As gas prices go up, we get more ridership,” Rose said.

The Coupeville School District notified Island Transit last April that it wanted to end its agreement allowing the lot to be used for bus riders. The school officials had said the lot was too crowded with the extra cars and the space was needed for school functions.

The lot had been used by commuters and by parents, volunteers and staff for 16 years.

The agreement between Island Transit and the church won’t cost anything for now. Rose said she’s negotiating with the church to purchase the property.

Funding for the lot comes out of a $2.5 million package Island Transit received from the state for developing park and ride lots in Island County.

When Island Transit learned the school district wanted to end its partnership for the lot, officials wanted to get a replacement location as soon as possible.

Island Transit officials are busy finding other new park and ride lots. Rose said there are sites identified on the south end of the island. She is talking with officials from Fire District 3 about a potential park and ride lot in Langley.