THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505110141
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 37 lines
There might not be any such thing as free lunch, but the City Council on Tuesday approved free rides to lunch for folks working in and around downtown.
The council informally decided to experiment with lunchtime trolleys in the downtown area for three months this summer. Two trolleys would run between the Portsmouth Naval hospital, the downtown area and Portside from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - peak lunchtime hours.
The city would pay $12,000 for the trolley service in an effort to alleviate parking problems in the downtown. If the program is successful and they have enough riders, the council would then consider making it a permanent service. At that point, council members indicated, they would consider implementing a small fare.
``It's something I'd like to try on a trial basis, even if we have to underwrite the whole thing,'' said Councilman James T. Martin. ``This fits in perfectly with our Vision 2005 plan.''
Robert P. Creecy, director of management services, said the idea has received support from the city's economic development department, tourism, and from top officials with the Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Creecy said the hospital currently has 5,000 employees who could use the service.
Creecy said downtown businesses have agreed to pay to advertise the service throughout the summer. Officials at the hospital have also said they would promote the service throughout that facility.
KEYWORDS: PORTSMOUTH CITY COUNCIL by CNB