S.S. Trolley's inaugural season a resounding success

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre stop in Southampton, one of six designated stops along the S.S Trolley's route through Saugeen Shores.

Hub Staff

That it was a resounding success was the overall impression on the S.S. Trolley's first summer season in Saugeen Shores at an end-of-season get-together September 6, with just over 12,000 loonies collected, 12,067 to be exact, equalling over 12,000 rides when you take into account the fact that riders under 5 years of age were able to ride the trolley for free.

The Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce pilot project commenced service on June 29, running every day until September 5 with six designated stops along its approximately hour-long route along the shores of Lake Huron and through each of the downtowns. The trolley was equipped with an online GPS, the “Trolley Tracker”, which allowed members of the public to check in on the trolley's whereabouts so they could figure where and when they could next catch it.

Three drivers - Melinda Myette, Les Virtue and Dan Field - handled the summer season with Tour Guide, Rachel Anstett working alongside.

“It was awesome,” said Anstett. “It was busy throughout the entire summer. I can't think of one week that was not as busy as the others.”

Anstett estimated that overall there was a greater number of tourists than locals riding the trolley. In addition to tourists from across Canada and the United States, “we had people on from Australia, Mexico, Germany, all over really.” She added that there was a large number of local riders as well.

According to Anstett, local riders commented on the fact that they could relax and enjoy the view. “One of the biggest things they told me was, 'We drive this road every day, the North Shore Road, and we never get to enjoy it',” she said, adding that tourists would comment on how they loved seeing the area. “They think it's absolutely beautiful and they just love it.”

Anstett also said that the trolley really linked Port Elgin and Southampton. “People just wanted to go for dinner, go shopping, get ice cream, go to the beach. It really worked well.”

Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce General Manager, Joanne Robbins was more than pleased. “The big thing for me is that we've actually had access to those 12,000 ears to tell them about our town, tell them to return, tell them what events are going on and a little bit of history and culture,” she said. “We've moved them around and shown them what a gem we are to visit.”

Robbins added that the objective for the Chamber was to link the two downtowns and move people around and off the beaches. “I think we succeeded,” she said, giving praise to the drivers as well as Anstett. “A lot of the success is because they've enjoyed this so much.”

Robbins said they will be going around to the local retailers to get their reports but from what she has heard everybody seemed happy. “All I've heard is good reports,” she said. “It was a good year anyway with the weather but I think the trolley just added to it.”

The trolley did miss one day due to a mechanical issue but, Robbins said, outside of that, the trolley was busy every day with Trolley Committee Member, Patrick Checknita adding that the number of riders far exceeded the committee's estimates.

“It was only supposed to be 140 a day for the 60 some days of summer, so the 12,000 is beyond that,” said Checknita.

Virtue said he enjoyed driving the trolley. “It was extremely busy, I was surprised,” he said, telling of a couple from Hamilton who had been on the trolley and when they went back home and told friends of their experience, their friends immediately drove to Saugeen Shores to take a ride.

Among various other tales Virtue told, one was of a wedding party at the Huron Haven Motel in Southampton who saw the trolley stop and asked if they could have a group photo taken with it. “We had the whole wedding party lined up beside the trolley.”

Now that the summer season has come to an end, the trolley is off the road but Robbins said that next year they will probably run it through September. She added that it will be seen at a couple of local events coming up. “We expect to use it for Big Band and Pumpkinfest,” said Robbins, adding that they are hoping to also include it in the Southampton and Port Elgin Christmas parades.

Back row, left to right, Driver, Dan Field; S.S. Trolley Committee Member, Patrick Checknita; Drivers, Les Virtue and Melinda Myette; front row, Tour Guide, Rachel Anstett; Saugeen Shores Chamber General Manager, Joanne Robbins; S.S. Trolley Committee Member, Tim Edgar - all gathered at the Wismer House in Port Elgin to discuss the S.S. Trolley's successful season.