
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, June 26, 1990                   TAG: 9006260263
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

BLACKSBURG PLEASED BY TROLLEY USE

During the first 12 weeks of Two Town Trolley service, an average of 97 people a day have boarded, according to the Blacksburg Transit Department.

On Fridays and Saturdays, ridership often increases, sometimes doubles along the route from Blacksburg to Christiansburg, with stops at the New River Valley Mall and the Market Place.

The town said an average of 54 people a day board the trolley in Blacksburg, and about 43 more board in Christiansburg. The trolley does not run on Sundays.

"I'm heartened by the ridership," said transit director Michael Connelly. "It's actually better than I expected." He said ridership did not drastically drop after Virginia Tech's year ended.

The service, which is running on a trial basis for 14 months, caused much concern among Blacksburg merchants who feared it would take business - particularly student shoppers - out of town. The town will survey Blacksburg retailers during the trial run.

by CNB