Trolley offers transport about town

Port Aransas has a brand-new trolley and, with its fire engine-red paint job, it’s easy to spot.

The 2009 International vehicle, which seats 29 people, hit the streets in January this year, replacing a bus that previously ran its route around town.

The B Trolley, as it is known, travels throughout most parts of Port Aransas – even to Horace Caldwell Pier on the beach.

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.

Operating every day, the trolley begins making circuits around town just before 10 a.m. Rides end just before 6 p.m.

The B Trolley is owned by the Regional Transportation Authority in Corpus Christi, and the drivers are employees of the city of Port Aransas,

Also operating in Port Aransas is the Flexi-B bus route that runs from Port Aransas to various destinations in Corpus Christi.

The Flexi-B departs from Port Aransas at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday bound for Del Mar College, doctor and other appointments, and returns to Port Aransas for a 10 a.m. trip bound for the malls in Corpus Christi. The 10 a.m. trip runs Monday through Saturday to the malls and on Friday and Saturday to the bayfront, 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.

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.

Trolley route runs from Roberts Point Park to the beach, out State Hwy. 361 and to Community Park before circling back to Roberts Point. The other Web site is www.ccrta. org, for the authority in Corpus Christi, where more information is available. Riders also can call (361) 289-2600 for information.

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.