Trolley takes Radcliff in direction of improvement

ISSUE: Mayor’s transportation plan
OUR VIEW: Could be a value and fun

Mayor J.J. Duvall continues to guide Radcliff toward a more active and attractive community image.
Here’s a few of the noteworthy changes:

• A new city sign greets motorists day and night from a hillside overlooking one of Hardin County’s busiest intersections.
• The streetscape project continues to add new sidewalks and safer access along Dixie Boulevard.
• Talks with state highway officials are aimed at installing more attractive street lights along the main thoroughfare.
• Work on the amphitheater at Radcliff City Park is nearly complete and was accomplished as a community project at a savings.

And the ideas keep coming. The latest suggestion calls for purchase of a trolley.

During a recent budget discussion, Duvall asked Radcliff City Council to consider purchasing a trolley as a means of starting a public transportation system in the city.

The concept caught fire and moved from wish list to budget item.

The idea may be notable but his approach remains conservative. Radcliff would seek a dependable, used model, probably built between 1996 and 2001. Instead of prices between $150,000 and $200,000 for a new trolley, the city is looking at a purchase around $30,000 with a four-year payoff through its capital project.

The mayor discussed using it as a shuttle to enhance community events such as Hooray for Heroes, the annual community yard sale and the city’s fall festival.

“That will get us started with the festivals,” Duvall said. “Get the atmosphere going.”

Some suggested the trolley as a component in a public transportation network for a community that experiences heavy rush-hour crunches daily.

That may be putting the trolley before the horse, so to speak. One vehicle does not make for a reliable public transit system. Also, the city must consider a dozen other factors including usage, routes and employment before launching such a significant venture.

But as another element of Radcliff’s continued development, a used trolley for festival fun and occasional other needs seems like a reasonable investment.

This editorial represents a consensus of The News-Enterprise's editorial board.