Release: South Kingstown Chamber Announces Second Trolley In Service This Summer

Last year, the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce supported the launching of The Southern Rhode Island Trolley, LLC. Since its debut in the 2010 Memorial Day Parade, the trolley provided free ridership to our local residents and visitors in the two communities.  This established a link between our local beaches and our local merchants.  This trolley was funded solely by advertising dollars from local business.  It became South County’s rolling billboard.

This year, the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce supported the transfer of a trolley from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to The Southern Rhode Island Trolley, LLC.  This transfer retired a trolley from RIPTA service and enabled The Southern Rhode Island Trolley, LLC to expand their fleet to two.  The property transfer was done for the nominal amount of one dollar.  Like its sister trolley, the operation of the new vehicle will be supported by business advertising.  The South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce participated in this transfer by buying out the state lease on the trolley’s tires.  This lease buyout was fully reimbursed by The Southern Rhode Island Trolley, LLC.

Both trolleys are fully owned by The Southern Rhode Island Trolley, LLC.  They coordinate the selling of all ads, staff the vehicles, provide maintenance, procure insurance, and assume both the financial and legal risks associated with running the trolley.  Having said this, the South Kingstown Chamber looks forward to working collaboratively with the trolley company to provide input on routes as well as educate the business community on the opportunities for advertising, customer generation, and promotional opportunities.

“A second trolley will provide opportunities for creativity.  The service can better adapt to the market by considering separate loops and shorter periods between stops, ” says Joe Viele, Chair of the South Kingstown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. 

Chamber’s of Commerce are established to connect members, advocate on behalf of their members, and promote a vibrant and growing local economy.  Chamber’s of Commerce are one of the leading supporters of free enterprise and seek to leverage the strength of their membership in the defense of an economic system that allows for equality of opportunity.