Longboat trolley group considers slogan change

The “Hop on the Bus” slogan could morph into “Take the Trolley.”

At a Longboat Key trolley working group meeting Monday, Feb. 14, at the Longboat Key, Lido Key, St. Armands Key Chamber of Commerce, it was noted that Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) continues to label the route as a “trolley route,” despite the use of buses on the island.

“It only makes sense to change the name to ‘Take the Trolley,’” said Key resident and group member Freda Perrotta.

The group formed last month to find ways to increase ridership and produce revenue for the underperforming route.

Perrotta suggested that the group secure racks in area businesses that feature trolley schedules to encourage residents to try the trolley.

It was also pointed out that even though there are only three major island trolley stops listed on SCAT’s Route 18, there are approximately 60 other stops located on the Key.

The only island stops listed in SCAT’s route include the Longboat Key Hilton Beachfront Resort, Bay Isles Road and Harbourside Drive.

The group will try to make sure potential riders realize that there are 57 other stops on the island that can be located by poles/signs and benches along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

Also at the meeting, a preliminary SCAT revised schedule for the Longboat Key trolley route showed trolleys arriving at stops every hour instead of the current half-hour, which was expected as part of a decrease in service to save money.

Trolley group pushes trolley use
Longboat Key resident Jackie Salvino and the members of a Longboat Key working trolley group are hoping Key residents and visitors will try the trolley this weekend by taking it to the 23rd annual Downtown Sarasota Festival of the Arts. The festival will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, on Main Street.

Salvino said Key residents could avoid the traffic by jumping on the bus or trolley at Avenue of the Flowers and riding Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) Route 18 to the First Street and Lemon Avenue stop in downtown Sarasota.

The ride, Salvino said, only takes 20 to 25 minutes — traffic and bridge openings permitting. The cost is 75 cents a ride.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected]