SACO — A proposal for the city to advertise on a summer trolley bus received an unenthusiastic reaction from the city’s Economic Development Commission.

Mayor Don Pilon proposed a summer bus which would travel from Old Orchard Beach through Ocean Park and Camp Ellis, taking passengers to local spots the current bus service does not pass through. The bus run would be operated through local transit agency Shuttlebus-ZOOM. Fare for the bus would be $1 each way.

Shuttlebus acquired a used trolley-style bus for $38,000. The city of Saco has contributed $8,000, and Pilon is working with transit’s marketing person, Al Sicard of Rocky Coast Marketing, on an advertising campaing to secure the rest of the money.

Sicard said Wednesday that he was about halfway to the $30,000 goal.

“We’ll have the 30 grand,” said Pilon.

Operating costs of the bus line are estimated to be about $90,000 and half the operating costs could be come from a federal grant, leaving the bus service to raise $45,000, according to a memo written by Economic Development Director William Mann.

Pilon requested the city purchase an advertisement on the bus for $2,200, and the proposal was discussed Wednesday at the city’s Economic Development Commission meeting. No vote was taken as a quarom was not present, but Mann opened the topic up for discussion, and confirmed the general consensus of those present was not to pursue the proposal.

Mann had concerns that the city would be advertising on a vehicle with political campaigns for Pilon for the upcoming election, but Pilon said he would not put a political advertisement on the bus.

Mann said he thought if the city were to spend money, it would be better spent reaching people outside the area, and putting an advertisement on a trolley that operates 75 days on a limited run was not the best expenditure.

Pilon said the trolley was targeted to people from far away, visitng the area.

“That’s a rolling billboard six days a week, all summer long,” said Pilon.

Sicard said he had talked with hotels who are enthusiastic about the proposed new trolley.

“The business community is jumping and clicking its heels,” he said.

Should the run not be successful, the trolley would be used for the longstanding trolley service that runs from downtown Old Orchard Beach to area attractions, said Pilon.

“I think the concept is great,” said Commission Member Mike Eon. He said if the bus line was economically feasible, it would be positive for the city, but he was concerned about if it would generate enough money to cover costs.

“It’s paying for itself with ads,” said Pilon.

Shuttlebus-ZOOM receives funding from Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Biddeford. Eon said he was concerned, if the trolley wasn’t successful, it would put transit service in debt. This would be bad for public relations with the city and may cause some hesitation by Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach when it came time for them to renew funding next year.

“It’s not the $2,200,” said Eon. “It’s the bigger picture.”

Commission member Robert Tkacik said he saw people riding the bus as retail, as opposed to commercial development, and he would rather see money invested in commercial development.

“It doesn’t feel like the right audience to me,” he said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext.325 or egotthelf@journaltribunecom.