Collier County works on beach trolley service to create ease of access to Marco Island

Reporter: Gina Tomlinson Writer: Jack Lowenstein
Published: Updated:
Credit: WINK News.

Officials in Collier County are working on a trolley to make it easier for people to get to Marco Island, and although tourists we spoke to love the idea, residents don’t think it’s worth their tax dollars.

During the busy season, people often can’t find a place to park at lots near the beaches. County officials say an island trolley could help fix that.

The reason many people move to Marco is because of the peace and tranquility, but bringing trolley loads of people to the island might change that for some people.

Frank Mulcahy likes the idea of having the option to ride when parking lots at popular spots such as South Beach are crowded, and the beach is a walk.

“It’d be very nice for all of the vacationers,” Mulcahy said.

The proposed route would pick up passengers at the government center in Naples and take them straight to the island.

“I got a lot of friends in Naples, and they got condos over there,” Mulcahy said.

Not everyone who lives on the island is on board. Konrad Mayerhofer feels the beaches have been busy enough lately.

“A lot of trash around, and who is cleaning up?” Mayerhofer said. “Call a Lyft or Uber driver, you know? Why more, more, more?”

Some don’t want a trolley to overcrowd the shorelines.

“Keep the taxes down,” Mayerhofer said. “We have enough stuff here.”

The exact stops of the route haven’t been decided yet, and what it would cost is still up in the air. Collier County commissioners are set to approve the plan and will get started on studying routes next Tuesday.

“If there’s some way to make some money for the county, I’m all for it,” Kevin Oshey said.

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