Save a dollar and ride for free on the MITS Late Loop, but spend that money at the bars so the trolley keeps rolling.
The Late Loop, which is paid for by local businesses, starts up again tonight, and MITS officials and local owners hope ridership is as good as or better than the strong start last week.
In its first weekend of operation, 736 people rode the trolley, Mary Gaston MITS assistant general manager said. April 5 was the strongest night with 452 riders, she said. Friday had 159 riders, and Saturday had 125.
Part of the Thursday night ridership could be attributed to a Late Loop benefit show at Doc's Music Hall, she said. The $3 cover charge and 10 percent of sales - a total of $352 - went to the Loop, co-owner Mike Martin said. He plans on doing more benefit concerts to raise money not only for the five-week trial run, but to pay for the Loop if it is extended through the summer or started up again in the fall, he said.
"Without a doubt I want to see it start up next year," he said. "I personally want to see it continue through the summer. I think as long as it is used and the businesses see increased business, they will be willing to keep it going."
The Late Loop costs $720 a week to operate, with a total of $3,600 for the five-week trial, Gaston said. The merchants pay every week, she said, and aren't required to pay the lump sum at once. This helps the businesses, but it also helps MITS provide a service that has been proposed for years, she said.
"We are just trying to be cooperative about it," Gaston said. "The idea's been bouncing around for a while. We were open to the idea but needing a way to pay for it."
Without the businesses paying for it, the Loop wouldn't be possible, she said. Some Muncie residents accused MITS of offering students free rides instead of keeping services like Job Connections, which provides early morning and late night transportation to work. This isn't the case, she said, as the two are paid for in different manners and are not related. The proposal to discontinue Job Connections has been tabled while MITS looks into the issue.
The Loop did provide rides to some people traveling to and from work, Martin said. He rode the trolley several times and saw students and residents going out for the night, he said. But he also saw people just traveling from Ball State to downtown, he said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
