Chamber suggests summer trolleys

Whitefish’s Chamber of Commerce is interested in exploring the idea of creating a summer transit loop similar to what the SNOW bus offers in the winter. The chamber presented the idea to city council March 5 during their annual joint work session.

The free public transit system would utilize two trolleys that make a one-hour loop around town, including stops at destination points such as Central Avenue, major residential areas and lodges. It was suggested a trolley could go to Big Mountain three or four times a day. The trolleys would run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The chamber suggested the city could own the vehicles, but contract out operations to a private company. Tax increment funds were recommended to be used to purchase the trolleys.

Karen Baker, chamber board chairwoman and general manager of Grouse Mountain Lodge, said Grouse would welcome the idea of a transit system.

“So many people stay with us because we have transportation,” Baker said, referring to Grouse’s shuttle bus. “A route like this would be used very heavily.”

While the SNOW bus costs about $700 per day to operate, the chamber guesses a summer shuttle would cost $500 a day with smaller vehicles and limited trips up Big Mountain. It would cost about $60,000 to operate the system from June 15 to Oct. 8, chamber director Kevin Gartland said.

The SNOW bus is funded through the Big Mountain Commercial Association. The chamber suggests a similar approach could be taken to pay for a summer shuttle. They said operation and maintenance could be paid for via public and private funding at a 20/80 split, respectively.

Councilman Bill Kahle said he loved the idea of a summer transit system, but wanted to know more about how to pay for it.

The idea of charging a small fare was floated, but Gartland noted that ridership would likely drop.

“We don’t want the trolleys rolling around town empty,” he said.

North Valley Hospital CEO and chamber board member Jason Spring noted that trolleys would benefit public safety by possibly reducing drinking and driving incidents.

Gartland said the transit system could also ease downtown parking.

“We know downtown parking is critical,” he said “This isn’t a solution to the problem, but it could help minimize it to a degree.”

Other ski towns in the West offer public trolley service in the summer, including Breckenridge and Durango in Colorado, and Park City in Utah.