What Clearwater's Saying: Golf Cart Wars on Clearwater Beach
Readers offered their thoughts after John Starick shared his experiences trying to operate Captain John's Beach Bus, a low-speed, charter vehicle service on Clearwater Beach.
Readers offered their thoughts after John Starick recently shared his experiences trying to operate Captain John's Beach Bus, a low-speed, charter vehicle service on Clearwater Beach.
Here is what some Clearwater Patch readers had to say:
christine: "TYPICAL!!! this area is so difficult to live/do business in anymore. The officials are not fair in their decisions and to whom they allow to do business. I don't go to Clearwater Beach, haven't in years. Feels like it should be in New York City not Florida. It does not give a welcoming feeling. So sorry you ran into all the "red tape" and lost. I just feel that the City doesn't go by the book, but wait maybe they do, its just "Their" book, the one with the hidden rules......."
Joe: "Take your vehicle back to the manufacturer, have the rear seat removed and put in 6 seat belts and have them re-tag it the same exact tag as your competitor. Shouldn't be a problem. Then go back to city hall with all of the new info and tell them your vehicle now meets THEIR recommendations. Always ask what their recommendations are and follow them and get it in writing for future use."
Carolyn Parsons: "It seems to me that the City of Clearwater officials make up the rules as they go. There was no reason for them to cease the operations of Captain John's Beach Bus. It really ticks me off knowing that the Jolly Trolley now has three of the same buses on the streets and the city allowed it. I am curious as to what the City officials have to say now what their reasoning was to shutting down Captain John's Beach Bus. I think John should take it to court. The weight limit of the vehicle is the weight; regardless of how many seats are on it and how many seat belts it has."
What do you think? Join the discussion by posting a comment below.
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InsiderMyself
11:39 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
They probably need more riders of the Trolly, to justify the subsidy to the taxpayers, to operate the Trolly. Follow the money:
here is a snip
http://clearwaterbeach.wtsp.com/news/news/140020-city-oks-funding-jolley-trolley
Monday, September 10th, 2012, 9:36am
Clearwater, Florida -- The city council Thursday approved giving money for another year's operation of the Jolley Trolley.
The council authorized $163,443, the same amount the trolley is requesting from the PSTA. The city's share will come from PARKING FUNDS.
The Jolley Trolley also receives income from fares and advertising. Its total operating expense for the 2012-13 Fiscal Year is targeted at $614,693, according to documents filed with the city. The Jolley Trolley provides transportation services for an estimated 600,000 riders from Tarpon Springs south to downtown Clearwater, Island Estates, Clearwater Beach and Sand Key. It is considering adding a West Bay route as a connection to Clearwater Beach.This year, the operators added two new trolleys, three used trolleys and a trolley that operates on compressed natural gas. In accepting city money, the Jolley Trolley agreed to prepare a quarterly performance report that includes ridership and on-time adherence to schedule.
Now, do a freedom of info act and see if there are really that many riders to the Trolly? Who is getting "greased"? Compare everything to the city's report.
Paul Boudreau
11:39 am on Sunday, February 3, 2013
City of Clearwater fla. Has the most stringent rules in Pinellas county. My daddy always said " rules are made to be followed only by those people who who do not make them". Boy was he right. City of Clwtr commissioners only follow rules they want to. They seem to make up exceptions to the rule when they deem it necessary to skirt around an issue. I personally think that some underhanded things are going on. Nothing wrong with a little healthy competition. Let Capt. John roll.