By Demorris A. Lee, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
TARPON SPRINGS — City commissioners unanimously approved sharing the cost of expanding the Jolley Trolley service from Clearwater Beach to Tarpon Springs and other North Pinellas communities on weekends.
The vote, which came at Tuesday night's City Commission meeting, is another step toward a plan that officials hope will inject more tourism dollars throughout North Pinellas.
The Jolley Trolley will go from Clearwater Beach to downtown Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and then Tarpon Springs. The one-hour loop will run 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays.
Robert Longenecker, Jolley Trolley's executive director, told commissioners that they have tested the route several times.
The cost for the services, set to begin in November, will be $234,667 for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2011.
Tarpon Springs, Dunedin and the County Transportation Fund each will pay $26,712. The Clearwater Downtown Development Board will pay $14,667.
It is expected that $25,813 will be generated from fares and $19,250 from advertising.
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority will pay $94,802.
David Gauchman, president of the Sponge Docks Merchants Association, told commissioners that business owners are anticipating the additional foot traffic.
"Everyone is extremely happy about this," Gauchman said. "The sooner the better."