Catch the trolley

V isitors to Mustang Island might be surprised to learn that Port Aransas has public transportation. The B Trolley in Port Aransas goes to just about everywhere in the city on its route - even to the jetties and to Horace Caldwell Pier on the beach.

Colorful (but faded) signs mark the route and riders can flag down the trolley at any location along the route.

The price of a trolley ride is a bargain, at 25 cents per passenger.

The trolley is operated from just before 10 a.m. to just before 6 p.m. by the Regional Transportation Authority in Corpus Christi, which also operates a Flexi-B bus route from Port Aransas to various destinations in Corpus Christi.

The Flexi-B departs from Port Aransas at 7:30 a.m. bound for Del Mar College, doctor and other appointments, and another bus departs Port Aransas at 10 a.m. bound for the malls in Corpus Christi in addition to the bayfront, the Texas State Aquarium and the U.S.S. Lexington Museum On The Bay. The cost is $1.25 in each direction.

The return trip is scheduled to depart the malls at 3:30 p.m. to return to Port Aransas.

Trolley route runs from Roberts Point Park to the beach, out State Hwy. 361 and to Community Park before circling back to Roberts Point. Transfers are available to other buses in Corpus Christi.

Two Web sites provide information about the public transportation modes in Port Aransas. The city maintains information online at www.cityofportaransas.org. Click on the transportation link, or call 749-4111 to reserve a ride on the Flexi-B.

The other Web site is www. ccrta.org, for the authority in Corpus Christi, where more information is available. Riders can call (361) 289-2600 or a mobile number at (361) 689-5361.

Normally, 24-hour notice is required for a trip, but many requests for travel are filled on a short notice, which is reflected in the name Flexi-B.

Because of the success of the Flexi-B, the CCRTA established a new route in Port Aransas called the B Trolley in 1997.

The trolley makes a 60-minute round trip, serving the entire city, with service from Monday through Sunday.