OLD ORCHARD BEACH — There’s a new regular rider on the Shuttlebus-ZOOM summer trolley, his name — Ted E Bear.
He’s a large plush teddy bear, sporting a big smile and a shirt with a Shuttlebus logo, and he’ll be riding the trolley buses all summer.
The trolley style buses bring passengers to downtown Old Orchard Beach, Camp Ellis, area attractions, campgrounds and hotels and began weekend service on Memorial Day weekend, and will operate seven days a week from June 14 through Labor Day. Last year, the trolley served 144,000 passengers, said Trolley Coordinator Terri Babbidge.
All eight trolley buses were outfitted with large teddy bears. On each bus, Ted E Bear will be sitting in the front, next to a sign encouraging people to take a picture with the stuffed bear and post it on the Ted E Bear Facebook page.
“It’s a great way to connect with people,” said Mobility Manager Perian Carpenter. “It’s a good conversation piece.
Ted E Bear’s Facebook page went up last week, and within 24 hours he had 100 likes, said Carpenter.
“He seems to be a hit,” she said.
Although the bear was just introduced on the trolley buses this past weekend, already a couple dozen people have taken pictures with him and posted them on Facebook. Ted E Bear seems to appeal to people of all ages, and has even had his photo taken with a newly engaged young couple.
“He’s definitely an ambassador for the trolley. People love getting their picture taken with him,” said Babbidge.
So far, those posted have come mostly from Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Shuttlebus staff expect that as the season gets busier, Ted E Bear will see people from further away, as the trolley once had a guest book with signatures of riders from all over the world.
Plans are in the works to increase Ted E Bear’s social media presence with an Instagram page, and the bear may be used in future promotions. To find the Facebook page, go online to Facebook and search Ted E Bear OOB Trolley.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be reached at 780-9015 or by email at egotthelf@journaltribune.com.
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