Old Pueblo Trolley says it needs more volunteers and funding to continue service to downtown, but some merchants aren't convinced it's worth supporting:
(photo: Zocalo Tucson)
A Hitch in the Trolley’s Downtown Giddyup
By Austin Counts
Zócalo Tucson Magazine
September 25, 2009
It's been two years since Old Pueblo Trolley Inc. announced plans to extend their current route into downtown as a part of the 4th Avenue Underpass reconstruction. As trolley rails and overhead wires line downtown streets, it would seem that service to downtown would finally become a reality when the underpass reopened on August 20, 2009. Or would it? After only two weeks, Old Pueblo Trolley scaled back service to downtown due to a lack of funding and volunteers, according to Dick Guthrie, President of Old Pueblo Trolley.
"We are getting little help in the way of funding from businesses south of the 4th Avenue Underpass." said Guthrie. "It's time they pony up for the historic trolley."
Rising maintenance and operation costs have reached a new high while only one of the two cars at Old Pueblo Trolleys car depot is equipped to service downtown. However, that car needs additional operators to maintain the original goal of providing transportation to the area. Guthrie suggests these problems could be solved by more financial support from downtown businesses, much like the support they receive from businesses in the University and 4th Avenue areas. "Downtown businesses would profit by helping us because it makes the area more attractive to the university crowd," said Guthrie.
Don Martin, a Rialto Bock partner, admits he does not know enough about the downtown route to say it is a viable opportunity. "I'm committed to understanding [the situation] better." said Martin. "It's a question of how many university students would frequent the area if the trolley ran to downtown more often." Richard Oseran, owner of The Historic Congress Hotel is not so sure that the trolley line will answer the transportation issues downtown faces. "It would be nice to see the historic trolley run to downtown more often, but it does not solve the transportation problem," said Oseran. "We would like to see the modern trolley come into effect, which could really help the community."
Old Pueblo Trolley is also in need of more volunteers to operate the cars. To date, five new volunteers are currently being trained and additional volunteers are always welcome. "We'll take anybody who has an interest in the trolley system," said Guthrie. As it stands now,
Old Pueblo Trolley is still serving the University Boulevard to 8th Street route while providing limited service into downtown on weekends. "We run as often to downtown as equipment and personnel can hold out," said Guthrie.
For more information on how to donate or become a volunteer with Old Pueblo Trolley, visit www.OldPuebloTrolley.org
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