Much has been stated throughout City Council Meetings about public transportation concerning the “people coming over the bridge” on buses or trolleys. I’ve heard a lot of irrational worry amongst residents about buses stuffed with “those people” who would someway wreak havoc on Marco Island if we expanded service by including a trolley.
I made a decision to verify this out personally and make the most of CAT’s “Try Trolley Day” on Saturday, April twentieth. To promote their service, CAT supplied free bus rides anyplace within the county all day lengthy. It was an exquisite sunny day, no rain within the forecast, and free rides to and from Marco Island. I needed to see if the buses can be filled with people headed to and from the Marco Island seashores meaning to trigger hassle and make their hasty escape on CAT buses.
I rode the Route 21 bus thrice, 6:00 AM – 7:27 AM, 7:35–9:02 AM and 6:00 PM – 7:32 PM. There is just one different Route 21 loop that begins at 3:00 PM and returns at 3:58 PM. I couldn’t make that run due to one other dedication.
The Route 21 bus originates subsequent to the Davis Super Walmart (nook of Davis and Collier Blvd.) and goes to Marco Island and again. It stops on the different Walmart (Collier Blvd. close to Rte. 41), and Manatee Road earlier than attending to Marco Island. Once on Marco Island it stops on Collier Blvd. and E Elkcam, the Marriott, the nook of Winterberry and Collier, turns round close to Caxambas Park heading again to the Super Walmart Davis retracing the identical route.
The Route 21 CAT bus has about 35 seats, dealing with in several instructions with completely different elevations. I selected the rear elevated seats which might be about 3ft. larger than the decrease seats. These gave me an incredible view of the wetlands and waterways from an “above the mangrove” perspective I don’t get from my automobile or pickup truck.
The bus drivers have been pleasant and reported that they by no means had a Marco Island City Councilor trip the bus and truly discuss with them. On every of my three rides my fellow riders have been principally young people of their 20s and 30s who have been on their technique to work on Marco Island. They smiled at me and have been gracious to the drivers, thanking them for the trip. On my final journey of the day three young folks acquired on at Davis and did all the loop with me. I watched them discuss to one another, their eyes vast and mouths agape as they marveled on the views of the water, the beachfront condos and motels on our seashore and our eating places and outlets. I requested them in the event that they’d ever been to Marco Island they usually all stated no, however that they had heard how lovely it was.
I’m comfortable to report that not one of the people on the three journeys I took gave the impression to be headed to Marco Island to rape and pillage, urinate and defecate on our seashores, or trigger hassle of any variety. I didn’t see anybody returning on the bus with pillowcases stuffed with stolen merchandise or dragging hostages again with them. Instead, I noticed principally young, pleasant staff and guests who appeared grateful for the trip and keen to simply go about their business, get to work or go to, after which return home safely.
Thanks to the parents at CAT and the Marco Island JW Marriott on your assist placing this all collectively.
