By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

As Kennebunk and Kennebunkport selectmen review proposed budgets for fiscal year 2009-2010, each town is considering funding the trolley system that runs from downtown Kennebunk, through Lower Village and by Kennebunk beaches. 

Kennebunkport has $7,000 proposed in the budget and Kennebunk Selectmen approved a referendum article to be voted on in June to include $16,000 in the budget for the system.

The Shoreline Explorer trolley system has served the Kennebunks, Wells, Ogunquit and York since 2005. York County Community Action Transportation Director Connie Garber said the private-public cooperative the system is based on has been recognized nationally by the Federal Transit Administration with the Federal Administrators Award for being a unique networking partnership in providing public transportation. 

Working with private companies Intown Trolley, Ogunquit Trolley and York Trolley, the Shoreline Explorer is funded by grants and matched by the towns it serves. The Kennebunk Shuttle and Shoreline Trolley run 14-hours a day, seven days a week, for 10 weeks starting at the end of June, Garber said. The shuttle connects downtown Kennebunk with Lower Village and the beaches, while the Shoreline Trolley picks up in Lower Village and connects with the Wells Trolley on Route 1.

If Kennebunk or Kennebunkport decide not to set funds aside for the trolley, Garber said York County Community Action would continue the service but possibly decrease the frequency of trips.

“We did have one year that Kennebunk did not fund us and we came up with additional revenue,” Garber said. “But it’s important for us to have the support of the community and a commitment to the concept of an alternative to everybody driving.”

Last summer, Garber said the Kennebunk Shuttle had 5,671 riders and the Shoreline Explorer had 48,978 riders, an increase of 12 percent and 5 percent respectively since summer 2007.

Kennebunk Selectman Bob Higgins averaged the overall ridership on the Kennebunk Shuttle at 2.7 per hour. He said a random survey of shuttle riders last summer showed 68 percent were headed to Dock Square.

“We’re spending money on a service that is benefiting [Kennebunkport],” Higgins said. 

In an effort to reduce the initial funding request from Kennebunk, Garber said York County Community Action decided to charge adult riders $1 per trip for a service that has been free. Garber said with longer hours the shuttle does see lulls in passengers, but there are also busy times throughout the day.

Kennebunk resident Deb Beal spoke in favor of the shuttle service at the March 24 selectmen’s meeting. 

“Last year, my daughter would use her bike then take the trolley to Kennebunkport [for her summer job],” Beal said. “It saved us time and gas, and gave her some independence.”

Kennebunk Youth Services Coordinator Rachel Phipps said the shuttle is a great opportunity that connects Lower Village with downtown as well as reducing the demand for parking along the beaches. She said the board should give residents the chance to decide whether or not to fund the system.

A motion to send $16,000 budgeted for the Shoreline Explorer to a referendum vote in June was approved by Selectmen Chairman Wayne Berry and Selectmen Tom Wellman and Dan Boothby. Selectmen Al Searles and Higgins voted in opposition.

Kennebunkport budget board member Chris Perry said the board’s concern is with total ridership rather than with the destination of each trip. 

“The number of people at Lower Village sounded very low,” Perry said. “It’s a public transportation attempt that everyone would like to succeed, but success to some degree is measured by the amount using it.”

While no discussion was raised during the Kennebunkport Selectmen’s meeting March 26, Town Manager Larry Mead said the funding issue  may be brought up between members of the budget board Thursday evening after The Post deadline.