The Downtown Trolley: Will Riders Flee If It's No Longer Free

Steve Madden rides Walnut Creek's free downtown trolley every day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"I saw her eating candy, when she was not supposed to," the 70-year-old Madden told his friend Tom Carter. The two were sitting together in the first row of the trolley, their self-described "reserved seats."

For Madden and his 57-year old friend, the shuttle provides a free and leisurely afternoon ride around town, a place to watch people and to trade some gossip. For other riders, Route 4, which runs from the Walnut Creek BART station, gives them an economical way to get to work downtown.

But their free ride might soon come to an end.

The Walnut Creek City Council is looking to cut $20 million from its 2010-12 budget, and the future of many beloved programs are at stake--from school crossing guards, to funding for the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, to the $200,000 the city annually contributes to County Connection to keep the trolley service running at no cost to riders.  

At last week's City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Term Cindy Silva suggested that the city find out who is riding and why, and assess the implications of charging riders a fee.

It costs about $700,000 a year to operate Route 4. Mary Burdick, spokeswoman for the County Connection, said it is too early to know how a loss of Walnut Creek subsidies would affect the operation of this route. Even if the city decides to cut the subsidy, effective July 1, the agency would not decide anything until the matter goes to the County Connection board, Burdick said.

There are currently three trolleys operating. They run every 10 to 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the weekends.

The trolley serves approximately 900 riders daily, 26 per hour. It is one of County Connections most popular routes, serving commuters and shoppers. Burdick said County Connection extended its service hours and started to run free shuttles during the holiday season as well. 

For downtown business owners, the shuttle connects the old downtown and Broadway plaza. And, it connects shops to their customers, said Sherry Bennett, the owner of Main Street Postal Business Center. 

However, it's not clear whether downtown businesses would step up to help pay for the service, as suggested by City Manager Gary Pokorny at a previous council meeting. Emily Chang, executive director of Walnut Creek's Downtown Business Association, said her group is not in the position to help fund the trolley.  

Some users said they appreciate the trolley's convenience enough that they would be willing to pay to ride. 

"I use the bus once or twice a week to commute," said Savona Jenkins, a 29-year-old Oakland resident, who works in retail at Broadway Plaza. "I would pay $1.25 but probably no more than $2."

People who come to Walnut Creek say the free shuttle is a major attraction. "This is my first time taking the trolley, but it will definitely make a difference when it comes to choosing a place to work," said Joe Velez, a 32-year old Concord resident, who was traveling to Walnut Creek for a job interview.

Some riders say any kind of fee would be a turn off, even prompting them to consider driving their car and struggling to find parking. 

"I might drive if they are going to charge because for me driving is cheaper," said Dulce Stockton, who works at the Claire's accessories shop in Broadway Plaza five or six days a week.  The 31-year-old clerk says she started take the trolley last year to save money.  She estimates the free shuttle saves her about $10 a week. 

Mayor Sue Rainey says she will try to keep the free shuttle.  "Hopefully I would like to expand the shuttle to parking garages, but not now with this economy," Rainey said.

The City Council will continue its series of special budget meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m, with the hope of finalizing the budget next week.