trolleys & trains

At first blush, you might think the HTA trolleys and trains in our left of sensible little city were our public transportation system. After all, at any given time, there are far more of them on the streets than our real city buses.
(yes, we have city buses too!)

But no, the HTA trolleys and trains are for the tourists.
Originating from Mallory Square, the trains run tour routes throughout the city while the trolleys pick up and deliver riders at "official" trolley stops strategically located near attractions, landmarks and, of course, shopping.

Powered by propane, the top speed of our trolleys and trains is something like 15 to 20 MPH and riders are treated to a scripted verbal overview of the sights and history of our fair city, recited by the drivers as they roll along our otherwise quiet streets.

 Now, if you're driving and get caught behind a trolley or train, you're not going anywhere in a hurry.
So if you're on your way to your job, the odds are you're going to be late for work. But at least when you do finally get in, all you've gotta tell the boss is "I got conch trained" and it's like a get out of jail free card.
I mean, everybody knows about the traffic back-ups behind the trolleys and trains, even your boss.

 A few years ago the HTA trolley's monopoly on shuttling tourists around was challenged by another trolley company.
CityView trolley wanted a piece of the pie and HTA resisted.
There was a brief city commission/legal kerfuffle over routes, rights-of-way and trolley stops but at the end of the day, the pie was big enough for both and today we have another fleet of slow moving, talking tour trolleys trolling our narrow,
one way Old Town streets.

Sorry boss, I got conch trained, again. . .

another day in paradise - VIDEO

I'll admit that outside of offering helpful directions now and then or the occasional "where're you from" afternoon small talk at the Green Parrot, I don't have very much direct contact with our tourist visitors to Key West. But, always the artist (and an open minded one at that) I spent a little time with our visiting brothers and sisters last weekend.

Their Key West is an alternate reality to be sure. They come for some fun, too much time in the sun, a "cheeseburger in paradise" and by sunset they're back on the boat that brung 'em, leaving a little of their hard earned in their wake.

Say what you like, I've come away thinking it's a win-win for everyone.
(and yes, there was only one tune that could do it all justice)


click arrow to start video. run time, 4:14