City Could Put Brakes On Trolley

With the recent revelation that the City of Gulfport will be facing a severe shortfall of revenue, the city is looking for ways to tighten its belt.

It is not unlikely that some services could be cut. One very public service has already come under fire by some citizens as a potential victim of budget cuts: the Connector Trolley that runs from Gulfport to St. Pete Beach.

UPDATE: There are two trolleys in Gulfport; the Connector Trolley to St. Pete Beach and the Red Trolley, which is free in town. The Red Trolley has been around for about nine years and is not at risk of being discontinued. Gulfport City Manager Jim O'Reilly says the Red Trolley costs the city about $25 an hour to run, about $10,000 to $15,000 annually.Rides are free Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m.

The Connector Trolley service in Gulfport will be three years old in October, and that is when this service could be discontinued. The Connector Trolley began when the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) discontinued round-trip service from Gulfport to St. Pete Beach and Pasadena.

The city obtained funding for the trolley when it received matching funds from a state grant by way of the Florida Department of Transportation that covered 50 percent of the costs, which, per City Manager Jim O'Reilly, is $75,000 to $80,000 annually. Part of the city’s cost is tempered by advertising on the trolley and fares. Anywhere from 33,000 to 35,000 riders use the trolley annually.

But the funding of the grant is no longer available, and to keep the trolley would be much more expensive for the city.  

"The intention of the initial grant was for the PSTA to add additional routes," O'Reilly said. Gulfport "was an underserved route."

"It took three bus trips to get from Gulfport to St. Pete Beach," former Vice Mayor Michele King said of the days before the trolley. King was a strong advocate of the trolley from the moment she was elected. "It would take all day."

It wouldn't be just Gulfport residents who would be hurt without the trolley, which runs hourly trips to St. Pete Beach from 7:50 a.m. to 10:40 p.m. daily, with the exception of holidays. The lack of a trolley could hurt businesses and tourism.

King cited a lack of lodging in Gulfport, forcing the majority of tourists to the city to stay in hotels along the beaches or in St. Petersburg.

"The idea for the trolley was that after the grant expired, the PSTA would add [the trolley service] as a regular route," King said.

But like all government agencies, the PSTA is under a budget crunch. The agency is more likely to drop routes, not add routes.

Though she's concerned about the future status of the trolley, King thinks if the public and city wants it, the trolley could be saved with some creative thought.

"If promoted properly with the City of St. Petersburg and tourism [agencies], it could be used for day excursions," King said.

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During an April 28 City Council Workshop, resident Lee Stapella suggested to the council that the Gulfport Trolley runs excessively and that its use should be re-evaluated.

“Like a shark in the water, the trolley never stops. Hour after hour, day after day, circling and circling for what purpose?” she asked. She suggested letting the trolley contract expire, referring to it as a “blood-sucking leech” on city funds, and that the council consider beachfront vendor agreements as an alternative for revenue.

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During a May 16 City Council Budget Workshop, resident Al Davis quickly spoke and suggested the city's trolley be shut down right away.

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During a June 7 Regular City Council Meeting, a resident who did not identify himself asked the council if it was considering getting rid of the Gulfport Trolley. He advised against it, saying residents and tourists use it to go in and around St. Petersburg and that he finds it very useful for someone who doesn't have a car. Mayor Mike Yakes said that removing the trolley service “is in consideration” but that no decisions have been made.