Seven Mile Trolley Feeling the Pinch

SEVEN MILE ISLAND –– With projected fuel costs on the rise, it’s uncertain whether the little trolley that runs up and down the island here will be able to run efficiently enough to make a profit, while some speculate these are the times in which the trolley is needed the most.
With gasoline hovering around $4 a gallon, visitors may appreciate the service, but a lack of advertising from the local businesses owners, who arguably benefit most from the trolley service, could potentially bring an end to the service, a representative of the trolley company told Avalon council June 11.
“I’m disappointed with the lack of participation especially after all we’ve done to help businesses,” Avalon Council member Nancy Hudanich said, referring to the borough’s re-cent amendment to general zoning code to allow restaurants to have outdoor dining areas.
Avalon Borough, Avalon Free Public Library and the Borough of Stone Harbor share the cost of the trolley through an interlocal services agreement in which each pays $2,800 of the total cost of $8,400.
Last month, Dick Adelizzi of the Great American Trolley Company told Avalon council that revenue — generated from $500 advertisements on the side of the vehicle — is down while fuel costs have increased by about 50 percent.
Stone Harbor council renewed its agreement with the company at its meeting July 1.
Adelizzi said it might be necessary to amend the service proposal for next year to include guaranteed funding with reduced or cut service. For example, he said during sunny days ridership is down between noon and 4 p.m. because most visitors are on the beach; an amended service schedule could reduce quantity of routes during that time, Adelizzi said.
“The current schedule has already been publicized and we don’t want to hurt our com-mitment to continued service,” Adelizzi said.
However, he said it seems the island’s demographics have changed and rider volume is down. He added that usually Realtors will put a coupon for a dollar off the trolley in welcome packages for renters but this year the trolley service couldn’t get any island Realtors to do such.
As part of this interlocal agreement, riders don’t have to pay to go to Wawa or any municipal building including both borough halls and libraries on the island so long as certain proof is displayed. This proof could be in the form of a coffee cup or library book, Adelizzi said. The trolley is discounted for children and regularly costs about $2 for an adult round-trip ride.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.