Safety Harbor Extends Jolley Trolley Agreement For Another Year

The City of Safety Harbor has decided to renew its contract with the Jolley Trolley for another year following a successful eight-month trial run.

Under the terms of the initial agreement, the Clearwater based transit service’s extension into Safety Harbor was set to expire on October 1.

But thanks to a steady increase in ridership and favorable reviews from all those involved, the city and its partners agreed to keep the trolley coming to the Harbor for at least one more year.

“Safety Harbor’s initial 8-month contract with the Jolley Trolley began in February and expired in September,” Martha Morrison, who as chair of the Downtown Business Council was instrumental in bringing the service to town, told Safety Harbor Connect.

“It was a big success,” she added. “Ridership was almost double what was anticipated, so the City, the Safety Harbor Spa and the Downtown Merchants all agreed to renew the contract.”

According to figures provided in the City Commission’s backup materials detailing the agreement, the cost of the service for the next twelve months is $122,167.97.

The breakdown for sharing the cost is as follows:

• $40,000 – FDOT Service Development grant
• $25,205.15 – PSTA funding
• $25,205.15 – City of Safety Harbor funding
• $31,763.37 – Fares and advertising

The City’s portion of the funding will once again be split three ways, with $5,000 to be covered by the spa and $5,000 by local merchants through the Chamber of Commerce and the DBC. The City will contribute the remaining $15,202.15 using CRA funds.

After struggling to meet the deadline to come up with their portion of the cost earlier this year, Morrison said the merchant’s organizations have been working hard to ensure it doesn’t come down to the wire again this time.

“The merchants were proactive this year by raising funds for the anticipated renewal,” she said. “We have been selling Safety Harbor T-shirts, circulating Donation Jars in stores on Main Street and individually donating cash.”

“The merchants are also grateful to be one of three beneficiaries of the Healing In The Harbor event to be held on October 18 at the Safety Harbor Gazebo to reach our goal.”

The new agreement also includes an expansion of the trolley’s operating hours on Sunday until 10 p.m. plus the addition of two new stops, one at McMullen Booth and Enterprise Roads and one at Main Street and Oak Avenue.

With healthy ridership numbers – according to figures, a total of 4,633 people rode the trolley to town during the trial period – and positive reviews coming in, including a recent recommendation of the service from City Commissioner Andy Zodrow, the future looks bright for the Jolley Trolley in Safety Harbor.

“We are delighted to have the Jolley Trolley dinging it’s bell down our street for another year and providing their service service to all who visit the beaches, Safety Harbor, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs,” Morrision said.

“It’s a great way to get around without worrying about parking, and it can be a “designated driver” as well.”

For more information on the Jolley Trolley service in town, visit the City of Harbor website or contact Martha Morrison at 727-386-3343.

Related:

• Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley: What You Need To Know
• Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley Service Starts Today
• Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley Makes Trial Run
• City Commission Approves Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley 
• Commission to Vote on Jolley Trolley Issue Tonight
• Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley Deal Nears Completion 
• Safety Harbor Jolley Trolley Ready to Roll- Almost