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Tarpon Trolley Gets Reprieve And More Study

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: June 21, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - Everybody likes the Tarpon Trolley, but no one can decide on its mission or how the city will pay for it.

At Tuesday's City Commission meeting officials agreed the city should contract with a vendor to operate the trolley, at least until officials can decide its future.

Juan Cruz, public services director, told commissioners this represents the most feasible option for continued trolley operation.

A funding source still has to be identified to make up for the trolley's projected annual deficit, Cruz said. The deficit, now roughly $45,000 a year, is expected to increase as the trolley ages and the cost to operate and maintain it increase, he said.

Interim City Manager Mark LeCouris said the city will need to cut spending to match a likely drop in property tax revenue for its 2009 fiscal year. This could force commissioners to decide between eliminating the trolley and firing city employees, he said.

Representatives of local businesses, including the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, said the trolley is a good way to foster tourism and transport visitors to the historic downtown district and the Sponge Docks.

Some city commissioners still wanted to know why trolley stops could not be created at Sunset Beach and Howard Park. Other commissioners want to see the trolley transport seniors to shopping areas.

Commissioners agreed the city likely would have to increase the trolley fare.

Comments at the meeting ranged from a suggestion to retrofit the trolley with an electric motor to save on fuel costs to limiting its use to just the busy tourist season.

According to a staff report, retrofitting the trolley to run on electric power would cost about $95,000. The city would not be able to recoup the expense during the trolley's remaining 2 years of life, the report concluded.

In addition, the city would have to return the trolley to the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority as a gasoline-burning vehicle at the end of its usefulness. That stipulation is in the city's trolley lease agreement with the PSTA.

The report also concluded adding more trolley stops would increase run times and alienate tourists who want to take short trips.

Commissioners asked City Attorney James Yacavone to look into whether PSTA officials would agree to alter its lease agreement with the city to allow for an electric powered trolley or fare and route changes.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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