JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville International Airport is getting a little greener just in time for the holiday travel season, and it has nothing to do with decorations.

New shuttle buses are rolling out to carry passengers from the parking lot to the terminal.

The shuttle buses, called green carts, run on batteries, making them friendlier for the environment.

They use less energy because of their size and because they're circulating in a much smaller space than the vehicles that service the economy lot.

The eco-friendly electronic carts are being used in the airport's surface parking lot and have taken the place of the regular buses.

The shuttles look like a special golf cart, accommodating a party of five and carrying luggage in the back.

Currently, there's only two of them, but together, they get the job done.

"We're looking at wait times of no more than five minutes utilizing these vehicles," said Michael Stewart, the director of external affairs for the Jacksonville Aviation Authority.

Travelers used to have to wait up to 15 minutes for the shuttle. Because of their small size, they make stops directly at rider's cars.

Now that the buses have less stops to make, the wait time at the economy lots are also shorter.

"All of us are looking to become a little more efficient and more convenient for our passengers and to lessen our carbon foot print," Stewart said.

The chargeable carts cost less than the diesel-powered shuttles.

Airport officials think they've found a real gem with the carts, but they'll have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to know for sure. That's the busiest travel day of the year.

The economy lot is still using the larger vans travelers are probably used to seeing. The green carts are exclusive to the surface lots, which are closer to the main terminal, and the cost of parking is $10 a day.