Shreveport looks to trolleys to solve parking problems

Monday, Dec. 27, 2004 | 10:54 a.m.

SHREVEPORT, La. -- City officials intend to see if trolleys can help ease worsening parking and traffic problems around downtown casinos.

The city has secured a commitment through the federal government's mass transit system toward the purchase of three trolleys costing $270,000 each.

The federal government is expected to pay 80 percent of the $810,000 purchase price, and the city will be required to pay 20 percent, or $162,000, according to Gene Eddy, resident director of SporTran.

The trolleys would cater to downtown Shreveport workers, tourists and conventioneers in need of transportation to restaurants, local festivals, shops and gaming casinos.

City officials cautioned, however, that no trolleys will be routed through downtown until additional money is in place for daily operations. Still under study are routes and hours of service, Eddy said.

"All we're doing at this point is investigating the possibilities and exploring all the opportunities that we have," said Wendy Benscoter, co-chair of the trolley committee. "This is not a new idea. They've been talking about it for 20 years in this market."