Trolley / Tram on Scenic 30A

[Sunshine Shuttle]

UPDATE ON SUBSCRIBERS TO THE 30-A TROLLEY SYSTEM

Sunshine Shuttle, the developer of the 30-A Trolley system, continues to receive many inquiries from callers on 30-A

who are asking when the Trolley service will start, where the points to get on and off the Trolley are, and also asking whichbusinesses are subscribing to the service. In response to these many inquiries, we want your readers to know that SunshineShuttle has obtained subscription commitments from the following businesses on 30-A where the “stops” will be:
• 30-A Suites • Stinky’s Fish Camp • Gulf Place• Resort Quest • Naked Grape • Smiling Fish Café• Miss Lucille’s Gossip Parlor • The Beach Bar• SOHO Beach • Artists at Gulf Place • Kindal’s Hair Studio• Furry Fanatics • Trustmark Bank • Fire at Gulf Place• SOHO Woman • Angels Cosmetics • Jewel Toffier• Amore’ Pizzeria • Celestine’s Special Occasions• Pilates by the Sea • April Loves Grooming• The Association Offi ce • Southern Beach Bicycle & Water Sports • Ocean Elements Day Spa• Sun and Sand Photography• Fine Line Tech • Emerald Coast Compounding• Oceana Blue • Ballyhoo • For the Health of It• Big Daddy’s Bikes & Beach Sports• Johnny McTighe’s Irish Pub • Nick’s on the Beach• Blue Mountain Beach Creamery • Shorty’s • Seagrove Plaza• Garrett Realty Services • A-List Beauty Salon• Bruno’s Pizza • Subway • A Few Good Apples• Bummin in the Sun • Liz’s Fashions • Fouquet Architects• Cocoons • One Seagrove Place • Mark Bakane of Grand Isle• Salon Twist • Flip Flops Grill


We hope to get many more of the businesses on 30-A involved in the next few days so that the service will cover all of 30-Aand will be able to start as close to June 15th as possible.

 

[scooterbug44]

Do you mean Memorial Day 2012 or Labor Day 2011?

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

A Trolley System For 30-A


Posted: Jun 13, 2011 10:35 PM CDT Updated: Jun 27, 2011 10:36 PM CDT By Jason Hackett - email







South Walton County, Fla. - There are a few more loose ends to tie up, but organizers are set to start a temporary trolley system on 30-A in Walton County. They say it will bring a higher level of safety and convenience to the very busy road.
"The public's calling every day, wanting to know about if it's going to get up and running, people are writing us emails and sending us letters," said John Finch, owner Sunshine Shuttles. The business is spearheading the campaign to get the trolleys on the road.
Finch says the support for his company's 30-A trolley system has been overwhelming - whether it be by phone, or Facebook, where 30A.com recently conducted a survey saying 80% would support a trolley system. He says the trolley would present great promotional opportunities for South Walton.
"Wouldn't we love to be able to market this region and say we've got public transportation? It's not only public transportation, but it's fun!" Finch said.
That fun would stretch along the 18 miles - east to west - of 30 A. Two trolleys would hold 30 passengers each and run every thirty minutes. Currently there are plans for 22 stops. The cost of the two trolleys' service is about $1,600 per day.
Probably most appealing feature of the trolleys: they would be free to riders. Businesses that sponsor a stop at their businesses would provide the funding for the service.
"If all participate...It costs very very little for each business and we all benefit," Finch said.
Frank Nick, owner of Nick's on the Beach, wants his restaurant to get a slice of the public transportation pie, and the benefits that come with it. He warns, however, that this has been tried before back in the 90's with less than desirable results.
"Some of these kids that would get on it were a little rowdy and it turned off a lot of the perspective people who were riding it," Nick said.
He's all for the trolley idea, as long as there are some rules.
"Yes it will work...do I support it...yes I do support it...they need more regulations on their rides," Nick said.
Right now, the goal for Finch and his staff is to get the Trolleys up and running by next week, after which they would have a trial run of the service up until about Labor day. Next year, they will seek full support from the County Commission and the Tourist Development Council.
For a route map and more information, visit http://www.30atram.com/

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

Readers rally around 30A shuttle proposal

Readers rally around 30A shuttle proposal




June 12, 2011 3:18 PM



Get on board: Community leaders needed to make 30A trolley idea a reality
I consider us to have something unique on 30A. So, that may mean we need to do something unique.
Actually, it is not very unique. It is really simple…support the new tram service on 30A.
How many times have you gotten behind a car on 30A that is constantly flashing their brake lights, braking because they haven’t a clue as to where they are going? And, how many times have you been behind someone who is clearly under the influence and swerving their vehicle on the road, or speeding? Not to mention, how many times have you seen the families load into their SUVs to head to Seaside for an evening of shopping, eating, and drinking, but they are unable to find a place to park, so they go elsewhere?
People come here with money to spend…they can do that at your establishment, or not.
I attended a wedding at WaterSound last weekend, with about 75 people. With things wrapping up at 10 p.m., these young people were ready to enjoy the remainder of their evening, but they had been drinking. This resulted in some returning to their rental home, with others taking the risk to drive. They all were talking about going out. Could you imagine how wonderful that would be for any business on 30A, having 75 customers visiting their establishment and spending money in one evening?
This tram service could spread wealth all along 30A.
If a tram were available to take people up and down 30A, this would open the floodgates for more business. It would allow more money to flow into our economy, supporting businesses, employees, and ultimately our entire area. Tourists could enjoy their low fare flights to the area, get a taxi to their destination, and then use the tram service to go and stay all along 30A… What a package deal and a great way to brand this area!
I have heard more sirens in the last year than ever along 30A. Shouldn’t we, as a community, be supportive of a system that creates safety on 30A? Who needs another car on 30A, and aren’t we are all looking to be a little more “green”? Why doesn’t 30A brand this? I don’t understand why some communities are opposed to this idea of having a tram service for 30A. It’s a no brainer.
Where do I sign up?
I applaud Sunshine Shuttle for finally proposing what the people of this community, for quite some time, have been asking for. How do we get all communities along 30A to support this?

Lyn Smith
Grayton Beach

Don’t let 30A trolley proposal pass by
Being a local to the area I feel it would be terrific to have a trolley on 30A.
Me and my children spend loads of time in Seaside and Seagrove during the summer months. It would be nice to park the truck and be able to not have to fight traffic; just jump on the trolley and get off where we want then get back on when we are done.
For those who choose to sponsor, it would beneficial as far as advertising goes to promote your business by advertising on the trolley itself.
I believe it would also be more environmentally healthy. Less vehicles means less output. Also with gas prices being so high, why would you want to drive your vehicle up and down 30A and at times sitting at a standstill because of all the traffic?
Stephanie Herrington
Freeport

 

[scooterbug44]

I am really confused.

John just wrote a letter to the Sun a couple weeks ago saying no trolley this year. Has that now changed?

 

[buster]

Sunshine Shuttle - Isn't that old info you posted?

Is the TDC able to fund a private trolley?

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

Bus plan for 30A stalled

Bus plan for 30A stalled, some businesses say it should be publicly funded

Comments 9


June 21, 2011 8:25 PM

Lauren Sage Reinlie
Daily News
SANTA ROSA BEACH — Organizers still are trying to sway enough business owners to chip in to finance a shuttle bus system along County Road 30A this summer.
The buses were originally slated for a first run May 18, but project consultant Charlie Reichman said at least two more major businesses must commit to the project to make it financially feasible.
“Then we would have a green light for everything,” Reichman said.
In April, Finch Transportation proposed the 30A Trolley concept to business owners and residents who said they were overwhelmed with traffic and limited parking along the 18.5-mile stretch of the scenic two-lane road.
Local businesses are being asked to foot the bill for the service, which would cost $1,020 a day.
The proposal now calls for two buses to run daily between noon and midnight. That is fewer hours than originally proposed.
Reichman said the service could decrease traffic, ease parking problems and provide an alternative to driving for people who drink alcohol at restaurants and nightspots.
The system was modeled on one used in Telluride, Colo. Other resort areas such as Key West have similar systems, Reichman said.
“Everybody’s got something that makes transportation better, makes it move better, makes it happier and more fun,” he said.
The Gulf Place, Seagrove Plaza and Grand Isle developments have agreed to contribute if the project gets off the ground.
Business owners who have been reluctant to commit told Reichman they think the project should be publicly-funded because everyone in the area will benefit, not just businesses.
Reichman said organizers approached the Walton County Tourist Development Council about the project earlier this year, but that it was too late to receive any funding for this summer. They plan to request funding from the TDC and Walton County in 2012.
The agencies could raise funds through increasing bed taxes or property taxes along 30A, he said.
Henry Patterson, owner of Shorty’s Surfside in Grayton Beach, has committed to help fund the project. He said the time needed to pass through stop signs along 30A has increased this season and that traffic often is backed up for a mile east and west of the stop sign at County Road 395.
“I hope all the businesses along the whole length of 30A will join with those of us who believe in the need for public conveyance,” he said in an email. “Our highway is only two lanes wide while it carries a four-lane flow of traffic for most of its length.”
Reichman said he will continue meeting with business owners this week and next in hopes of getting the project rolling.




Read more: http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/organizers-41212-trying-rosa.html#ixzz1Rv0OlUZb​

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

it hasnt were just updating all the information for everyone to read

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

30A Trolleys In South Walton On Hold

30A Trolleys In South Walton On Hold


Posted: Jul 07, 2011 10:37 PM CDT Updated: Jul 07, 2011 10:37 PM CDT By Jason Hackett - email












South Walton County, Fla. - A plan to place a trolley in the beaches of South Walton is on hold tonight. That after Sunshine Shuttle, the company behind the trolley, fails to get enough support from area communities. According to Sunshine's owner John Finch the communities in South Walton wanted the Tourism Development Council to foot the bill. Now, the project is in limbo.
Last month in an interview with news 13, Finch said he only needed a few more businesses to get on board, but he ultimately didn't get enough support. The main problem Finch said was communities like WaterSound, Seaside and Watercolor not being 100 percent willing to pitch in for the service.
In a statement from Sunshine Shuttles, he said "The owners of the homes in the communities pay a bed tax to the TDC, and they thought that the TDC should subscribe to the shuttle service." However over at Rosemary Beach, they say its the high cost - not the TDC issue - that's the problem.
"I think everybody in theory loved the idea of having a trolley on 30A, the mechanics of working that out and paying for it was just a bridge too far this year," said Rosemary Beach Town Manager Jim Bagby.
And as for the TDC funding, this statement from TDC executive director Dawn Moliterno Thursday night: "The South Walton TDC advisory Council met and reviewed Mr. Finch's proposal and determined that it was private venture that in it's current form was not in our mission or appropriate use of bed tax dollars."
Finch says he's pushing for the trolleys in 2012, but the TDC seems to be standing firm.

 

[Sunshine Shuttle]

Will you help 30A go green?




July 11, 2011 3:05 PM

Henry Patterson
Shorty’s Surfside
As the owner of “Shorty’s Surfside” at Grayton Beach, I want to express my sincere hope for the inaugural run and success of the 30A trolley operation about which we have all heard. The idea grew from the Friends of 30A promotion of the need for “public transportation” to ease the traffic congestion on 30A.
I applaud Sunshine Shuttle for its efforts to build a system based on the Friends of 30A ideas. I understand that two trolleys could operate for 12 hours a day running the length of 30A from noon to midnight. The trolleys each carry 30 passengers with the potential to reduce the number of cars on the highway by up to 60 per hour. Already this season, I see the time needed to pass through the stops on 30A is growing with vehicles backed up a mile each side of the stop at Hwy. 395.
About half of the businesses on 30A have committed to supporting the trolley system this season, but it wasn’t enough to get it off the ground. Next year, I hope all the businesses along the whole length of 30A will join with those of us who believe in the need for public conveyance. Our highway is only two lanes wide while it carries a four-lane flow of traffic for most of its length.
Being very “green” and environmentally conscientious, I personally believe the trolley service will have a significant and positive effect on the traffic and parking issues we all encounter, and locals and tourists alike should support the merchants who are paying for this resort amenity on 30A.
Why hasn’t the TDC taken the lead in funding the operation? It certainly should allocate the funding for the trolley system in its budget for 2012. The TDC’s job is to promote the increase of tourism for South Walton and 30A, and I believe the trolley system should be and will be a major component of the TDC’s promotion efforts.
To ensure the success of the 30A trolley, we need to join together and encourage the Tourist Development Council to immediately allocate funding for the trolley operation in the TDC’s budget. The trolley will be a fun experience and a signature amenity for the visitors of 30A.