Passengers piled on to the 28-seat trolley like kids heading into and candy store when the candy is free. At least the trolley ride is free and will be for the Homestead citizens who city officials say, "walk a lot."
They now can hop a ride around town and connect up with the Miami-Dade Busway for free.
On the first loop around town were Mayor Steve Bateman, Vice Mayor Judy Waldman Councilman Jimmie L. Williams, among others.
Williams talked about how the trolley will bring the town together. Folks will be able to get downtown, shop, visit the doctor and socialize.
The trolley will run weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on the weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost for what is being called an experiment is being picked up by the Feds.
Homestead officials and civic leaders have been working on spiffing up the city's historic downtown business district. The trolley is part of the plan. The goal is to connect areas of the city and increase pedestrian activity by alleviating congestion and make it easier for locals to get about town. 18-wheelers are to be banned along Krome Avenue during portions of the day.
Assistant City Manager, Julio Brea, says that as soon as federal stimulus money flows into the city, the trolley and possibly a second unit will be purchased outright. In the meantime, the existing trolley is being leased from the city of Plantation for $2,500 a month.
Local
The trolley operation is called "an experiment." The ridership will be evaluated, stops will be adjusted, operating hours are to be flexible to meet the needs of regular passengers. The hope is the Homestead Trolley will be as successful as the trolley system in Coral Gables which enjoys a large ridership.
If the Homestead Trolley generates enough riders, other routes will be added.
