A friend of mine is a businessman in the Loop who supports the trolley with his taxes. He attempted to find out the ridership levels of the trolley, called the Trolley Authority, and was declined an answer. He then called the feds who oversee the program. The average daily ridership since inception is nine people a day. Pitiful
The Loop Trolley in test runs has twice hit autos , knocking mirrors off of cars in minor accidents. Apologists say people did not park right. That is the point, we should not require perfection for the system to work. Written by Paul Dribin
The trolley situation is still a mess. KWMU had a story which documented the large number of businesses which have gone out of business, at least partly due to the trolley construction. Also, The Riverfront Times published an article about the fact that the automatic ticket machines for the trolley are in before the trolley itself and these machines do not make change. An individual who needed change would need to send in the receipt through the mail and wait for change from the Trolley Association by mail. Overall, the whole thing still seems like a fiasco. One piece of good news, the Loop Business Association has hired Rachelle L’Ecuyer as Executive Director. She is top notch and has done a great job as Economic Development Director in Maplewood. I wonder how long it will take her to clash with Joe Edwards. Written by Paul Dribin
The Post wrote yesterday that there is still not a definite date for the start of the Loop Trolley. This is not a surprise. Furthermore when it does begin it will operate only from Thursday to Sunday from noon to 6pm. Does this sound like a winning program? (By the way last week I almost ran into a trolley when I was trying to turn right onto Lindell at the History Museum.). Written by Paul Dribin
Brenda and I took a recent trip to France on a Rick Stieves tour. It was great. Anyway in talking with our group at dinner both a couple from Milwaukee and Omaha discussed the trolleys in their cities and what an incredible waste of money they were. It seems like bad thinking transcends local communities. (I did not see any trolleys in Paris). Written by Paul Dribin
An article in the Post Dispatch indicated that the Loop Trolley will begin at 2/3 capacity. That is because one of the cars will not be available due to repairs that are needed for it. These repairs have taken a very long time to complete because the parts have to be made in Germany. When the service will begin in any capacity is still a mystery. If you understand any of this you are a better person than me. Written by Paul Dribin
Tony Messenger has written in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that when the Joe Edwards group applied for federal funding for the trolley, they promised $5 million in private funds. Not one dollar of these funds has ever appeared, yet they are asking for more money from St. Louis County. What gives? How inept can people be? Written by Paul Dribin
This story just gets worse. Les Sherman, President of the Trolley Group has now said they need $500,000 or the trolley will be never begin. This is worse than a fiasco, it is borderline insane. What makes anyone think people will want to ride this thing. To add to the woes, I now hear concerns about security.
Comparisons are made to the success of the trolley in Kansas City. In KC, the trolley is a popular means for taking people from downtown to Westport for lunch etc. That is a popular destination, something we do not have. Furthermore, Kansas City does not have a light rail, so the trolley serves as a means of transportation. Written by Paul Dribin
The St. Louis Business Journal has written an editorial called Trolley Follies, criticizing the trolley effort in University City. I am disappointed they stole my headline and more disappointed I have been proven correct on this issue. Now we are stuck with the unsightly tracks that disrupt traffic flow. When will we learn? Written by Paul Dribin
County Executive Steve Stenger has said he will probably not approve another $500000 of county money for the loop trolley project. I consider this project a boondoggle. Good decision
The St Louis Contrarian 