Mass Transit at a Turning Point in Key West

Too little funding — and forethought — is the cause for the demise of the Duval Loop, but things are looking up.

This is a really good article by one of my subscribers and kind of highlights the dilemma that the Southernmost City finds itself in. They are slashing routes (most notably the Duval Loop, which is used by the tourism sector AND workers that either park down town or at the Park n Ride.)

The shame of it is, with Conch Connect gone (I was their first passenger and an early adopter) and no coherent strategy on how to fund mass transit in the City with grants going away and recent squabbles with FDOT, it is the workers and the elderly that are going to feel more of the pinch whether it is trying to get to work, a doctors appointment or to the new Publix (IYKYN,LOL.)

Although alternate revenue sources have been discussed — including TDC money from DAC 1 — that only makes sense if it benefits the tourists.

I would hate to see the type of outrage garnered by KDOT that was thrown the school districts way when they managed to get money out of the TDC by claiming an improved concession stand and baseball museum at Rex Weech Field would put heads in beds.

But that is another story.

Any way, give it a read. Good stuff. And definitely food for thought.