DELRAY BEACH, Fla.-- The Delray Beach CRA board has decided to restart the downtown trolley for a three-month trial period.
The trolley ended at the beginning of the month after the CRA Board decided to stop funding for the round-about service.
Commissioner Bill Bathurst said in a Monday meeting that this trial will be a Band-Aid fix.
Scott Roberts is the general manager at the Fairfield Inn and Suites on Atlantic Avenue. He said they were shocked when the trolley service ended.
“Guests have made comments they cannot get downtown at night without having to drive or use a taxi or Uber,” said Roberts.
Rock Konsavage is the regional manager for Ocean Properties and said he was worried about not having the trolley going into the season.
“We are going into the busiest part of the year and this is where it makes or breaks a lot of businesses,” he said.
The CRA board agreed to the three-month trial period for $140,000. The board can approve another three months if needed.
During that time the city will look at ridership, route times, and other options. The CRA and city will have to make decisions on a transportation and mobility plan. Any decisions would have to go through a bid process.
The trolley should be back in service by November 1st.
The CRA plans to have a workshop in November to work on what transportation options the city has.