Save Our Trolley Campaign...
Whether you are a local resident of Anna Maria Island or simply planning a vacation stay, the 'Free Anna Maria Island Trolley' is one of the best ways to get around.
Did I say "FREE"?
Yes I did, but it might not be FREE for long unless the proposed 'Save Our Trolley Campaign' is successful.
It's been reported in The Islander that an Island-based effort to keep the trolley free is getting a test drive with Manatee County officials.
David Teitelbaum, an Island businessman, member of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council and a director on the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce board, has proposed a Save Our Trolley campaign. He also set out a series of creative ideas that could enable the local trolley to operate free for many years into the future.
In the mean time, its been reported that the trolley costs about $900,000 a year to operate and was originally started with grant funding. Well, according to County administrator Ed Hunzeker, that funding will not continue indefinitely. So in the budget for fiscal year 2010, which begins this October, he has recommended that riders of the trolley pay a $1 a day fare.
Teitelbaum presented his ideas briefly to the TDC on June 15. He also presented them to the Manatee County Board of Commissioners during a budget hearing on June 18. Both the board and Hunzeker seemed supportive of a test drive of the Save Our Trolley proposal.
What is the Save Our Trolley Proposal
The proposal involves a series of fundraisers to support a fare-free trolley. For the fiscal year 2010, which again begins in October, the trolley still would be subsidized in part by the county, the TDC and the three Island cities.
It's been reported that for the past two years, the TDC has contributed $26,000 to the trolley operation, the three Island cities have each contributed $8,000 and the county has contributed $50,000, which also includes grants and tax dollars.
The current SOT proposal would mean that those TDC, county and city contributions continue for another year.
In fiscal year 2011, the TDC would contribute $40,000 toward the fare-free trolley, each of the Island cities contribute $10,000 and fundraisers would generate $50,000. This would relieve the county taxpayers of some of the burden.
Fundraising Ideas
The fundraising ideas include a two-day festival to raise money for the trolley. The SOT proposal suggested calling the event the Real Florida Festival and holding activities Islandwide on a weekend in March.
A two-day festival pass would cost $5 or a family pass would cost $10, with revenues estimated at more than $60,000.
Other fundraisers might include a donation box on the trolley, the sale of naming rights and a donor recognition program.
“I think the money is here,” said Island businessman and TDC board member Ed Chiles, indicating that Island business leaders would probably donate to a SOT campaign, as would riders.
“We could put a donation box on the trolley, a lock box, and everybody who wants to put a buck in puts a buck in,” Chiles said.
At least two county commissioners have stated their support for maintaining a fare-free trolley — Carol Whitmore, an at-large member of the board and Holmes Beach resident, and John Chappie, who represents the Island and lives in Bradenton Beach.
“I’m very near and dear to the trolley,” said Whitmore, adding that data indicates that about 400,000 people ride the trolley each year and 60 percent of them are local residents.
A recent newspaper poll on found that about 52 percent of people support a fare on the trolley. A random on-the-street survey on the Island last week found six out of 10 people opposing a fare. A survey in Bradenton found nine out of 10 people supported a fare.
Hunzeker said he would recommend the SOT proposal and that the county continue its $50,000 subsidy for another year, but he stressed that whatever is put into place must “be for the long-run. It would be imprudent to take this one year at a time from the county’s perspective.”
Hunzeker also stressed that the county must be able to provide transit riders on the mainland with a rationale for free public transportation on the Island.
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