Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/243343
Siesta Seen TROLLEY SERVICE IS ON SCHEDULE TO START IN JULY; 'NO PARKING' SIGNS SHORTLY WILL BE COMING TO AVENIDA DE MAYO; COUNTY STAFF IS STILL AT WORK ON A NORTH SHELL ROAD PARKING PLAN; AND NUMEROUS BIKE THEFTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED By Rachel Brown Hackney Editor Sarasota County Area Transit's senior planner confirmed late last week that plans remain on track for the Siesta trolley service to begin in July. Sarah Blanchard reiterated that state grant money will be available that month to fund the service, which will offer stops every 20 to 30 minutes during peak periods. Further, the transportation will be provided seven days a week. The state funds total $1,087,500, according to a report provided the County Commission in August. Although Blanchard cautioned no final decision has been made about how the buses will look — they will not be actual trolleys — they will circulate from Westfield Southgate Mall at the intersection of Siesta Drive and U.S. 41 through Siesta Village, with stops at the public beach and in Gulf Gate. Staff is continuing to work on a Turtle Beach route, which probably would run approximately every hour, she added. Although the heading says 2016, plans remain in effect for Siesta trolley service to start in July. Image courtesy Sarasota County