BIDDEFORD — While coaching baseball at Thornton Academy in Saco, Bob Moody became licensed to drive a bus to assure his athletes would have transportation to games. Little did he know the new skill would lead to a second career.

Moody, 82, just retired from that second career, as trolley coordinator for ShuttleBus-Zoom, overseeing the seasonal trolley bus service that brings thousands of people to downtown Old Orchard Beach and local attractions from campground and hotels.

With a background in recreation, including many years as Saco Parks and Recreation director, Moody brought to his work with the bus service good interpersonal skills and an enthusiasm to provide great customer service.

Moody said he started working for ShuttleBus-Zoom about 15 years ago as a driver, and became the trolley coordinator in May of 2010.

Over the years, the trolley service has grown. When Moody started, the trolley route had about six stops. Over the years, more contracted stops have been secured with local lodging establishments and businesses, and there are now more than 30 stops on the route.

Memorial Day weekend, and from mid-June through Labor Day Weekend, the trolley runs from 10 a.m. to midnight. The trolley service also runs a shuttle service from the Old Orchard Beach High School to the Salvation Army Seaside Pavilion in Old Orchard Beach during performances at the pavilion.

The summer trolley service transported 36,000 passengers when Mood, first started, and peaked at about 145,000 riders in 2016.

“That’s a lot of people,” said Moody. “It truly is the best way to get to the beach.”

As a driver for the trolley service, one problem that caught Moody’s attention was the traffic gridlock in downtown Old Orchard Beach that slowed down service. He rerouted buses to east and west zones, streamlining trolley service and making runs more efficient. He said he tries to keep runs at about half an hour, as people who board the bus are anxious to get to the beach.

“I was blessed with a really good group of drivers,” he said, many of which were also school bus drivers.

His philosophy was always to keep the customers happy, keep the staff happy and then everyone should be happy.

“And it shows. Some of the drivers have been here eight, nine years, and the people really look forward to seeing them,” he said.

Seasonal campers and tourists who visit the area every summer know the drivers by name, and sometimes surprise drivers with dinner or coffee. Local businesses keep an eye out on people near the bus stops who they perceived to be unruly.

One popular driver had several pictures taken of her posing with customers, and a collage was made and put in her bus, much to the delight of the passengers, who enjoyed pointing out their picture when they rode on the bus.

Moody said he would meet with drivers when their shifts started to make sure everything was running smoothly and would regularly check in with businesses who had contracted stops. He said he preferred to talk to people directly, as texts or emails can often get misinterpreted or taken out of context.

“I think they liked the personal contact, more so than a memo or a text,” said Moody. “They viewed me and I viewed them as one of the family.”

ShuttleBus-ZOOM Mobility Director Perian Carpenter said she and the other staff will miss Moody, whom they call “Trolley Bob.”

“Bob’s got the biggest heart. He’s a very empathetic and caring person and people love him down at the beach,” she said.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.