Funds pave way for Coral Gables commuter trolley

By Sherri C. Ranta
   A free shuttle connecting downtown Coral Gables to the Douglas Road Metrorail Station is expected to be rolling in February.
   A $1.4 million grant from Miami-Dade County is expected to fund capital costs while money from the Florida Department of Transportation covers some of the system's operating expenses for the first three years, said Kathy Swanson, Coral Gables' director of development.
   Coral Gables commissioners approved the project Tuesday and told city staff to find funds to operate the system, estimated to cost $450,000 to $600,000 yearly.
   Commissioner William Kerdyk Jr. said financing sources for the shuttle could come from a special taxing district or parking meter revenues. "Everyone," he said, "was extremely positive on this. I think each commissioner realized this is an infrastructure improvement the city needs."
   The shuttle, Commissioner Kerdyk said, would benefit commuters by providing connections to bus routes, parking lots and Metrorail.
   "The two issues that affect us right now are traffic and parking," he said. "As the city continues to grow, parking will continue to be tough and traffic will become more congested."
   Plans call for the purchase of five vintage-style trolleys for $1.2 million, Ms. Swanson said. The 40-passenger hybrid electric-diesel vehicles will be air-conditioned and handicap-accessible.
   The route will run along Ponce de Leon Boulevard, crossing San Lorenzo to the Metrorail and back along Ponce past the Village of Merrick Park - the mixed-use retail and office complex under construction - past Miracle Mile and Alhambra, the city's densest traffic zone.
   Plans call for the trolleys to run every 10 to 12 minutes from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday.