NOTA looks into adding trolley route

Clang, clang, clang went the trolley.

Ding, ding, ding went the bell.

Well, not yet.

But the North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA) is looking into it.

Last week, the NOTA board voted 7-0 to authorize Director Lynn Gustafson to pursue funding sources for a possible wheeled-trolley to run between Oxford and Orion.

“I’d be interested in getting more information,” said NOTA Chairman Bill Dunn, supervisor of Oxford Township.

Gustafson proposed purchasing a used trolley for approximately $60,000 to create a “fixed route” along M-24 with stops at the Kmart and Kroger stores in Orion Township, the downtown areas in Oxford and Lake Orion, and Oxford’s Meijer store and Legacy Center. It would take about 30 minutes for each round-trip.

NOTA has a little more than $100,000 left in this year’s capital budget to cover this potential purchase.

Unlike NOTA’s current ridership, which is strictly limited to senior citizens, disabled people and low-income individuals, Gustafson said the trolley would be “available for anyone to use.” The proposed rider fee is $1 per trip and the trolley could hold up to 27 passengers.

“I think it will be good to offer service to all of our residents, giving them a value for the taxes they are paying (to fund NOTA),” she said in her director’s report.

She proposed having the trolley run from May 1 through Sept. 30 on Thursdays through Sundays for 42 hours per week.

“I think the DDAs (Downtown Development Authorities) of each community, along with the restaurants and businesses, would be excited about the idea of having people dropped off (in) the villages,” Gustafson told the board.

“It could also help with parking issues in the villages as people could park at Meijer and be taken into towns,” she said.

She noted the trolley could be used by “community groups” when they need a “larger vehicle” for trips and for “special events in the community.”

“Ideally, we could purchase one before the end of the year and use it at Christmas time for a trial period and then start up in May of 2017,” Gustafson said.

Dunn suggested renting a trolley for a year or a summer as opposed to purchasing one right away. “I’d hate to spend the money on a trolley and have it be a flop,” he said.

Gustafson explained trolleys cost $3,500 per month to rent and there’s a four-month minimum, so that represents a $14,000 investment. On top of that, NOTA would be responsible for repair, maintenance and insurance costs during that time, she added.

However, if a used trolley was purchased and it didn’t work out, she said it could be sold for a good price because their resale value is “pretty solid.”

“I really love the idea,” said Addison Treasurer Lori Fisher, who also serves on the NOTA board. “I think it’s great that you’re thinking out of the box.”

However, Fisher was concerned about how much the trolley route would cost to operate. According to the proposed budget Gustafson prepared, she estimated potential revenue of $11,000, but potential expenses totalling $56,530, for a net cost, or loss, of $45,530.

“I just don’t know if we’re ready, I guess, as a community for this,” Fisher said. “I don’t know if it’s busy enough.”

Playing “devil’s advocate,” Dunn expressed his concern that “some people” won’t like the idea of NOTA buying a trolley after getting a new millage passed by Oxford and Orion voters in 2014 and Addison voters in 2015.

NOTA board member Joe Young, manager of Oxford Village, stressed that unlike the standard NOTA service, this one could be utilized by all taxpayers.

“I think it brings the communities together,” Gustafson noted. “It’s worth a try.”

Gustafson will approach the chambers of commerce, DDAs and local businesses to gauge their interest in the idea and willingness to provide financial support.

“I think the businesses would be for it,” Dunn said. “They might not be for donating, but they’d be for it to get foot traffic.”

According to Gustafson’s proposed trolley budget, the chambers, DDAs and businesses could be asked to cover expenses such as advertising for the trolley service, trolley stop signs and seating, and an app that would “allow riders to track the trolley in real time and see exactly where it is, so they can decide if they want to stay longer in the restaurants or shops.”

Local businesses could also be sold advertising space on the trolley. If 10 businesses paid $500 each for space, that would generate $5,000 in Gustafson’s proposed budget.

Oxford and Lake Orion’s DDAs each capture a portion of NOTA’s operating millage. For 2017, the Oxford DDA is expected to capture $3,908, while the Lake Orion DDA is expected to receive $8,689.

At the Oxford DDA meeting on Monday night, Gustafson, during public comment, pitched the idea to the board. She asked officials to “consider possibly returning those (captured) funds” and maybe provide some additional money to help launch the trolley service.

“A similar service was started in Grosse Pointe a few years ago,” she said. “It’s been a huge success. The public really loves it because they enjoy riding it. Businesses love it because it’s bringing customers to them. So, it’s kind of a win-win.”

Dunn, who also serves on the DDA board, noted he would like the trolley rides to be free as opposed to charging $1 per trip.

“The residents of the communities already pay a millage,” he said. “I think we ought to try to get advertising, donations, whatever (to offset the cost). It’s going to benefit a lot of places, especially bars and restaurants.”

 

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