Vehicles to stop making trek to downtown Sarasota on April 25
As part of his report to his colleagues during their regular meeting on April 7, Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith referenced the fact that the Siesta trolley — known as the 77 Siesta Islander route in the Breeze Transit system — is scheduled soon to stop leaving the Key to head to downtown Sarasota before returning to Turtle Beach Park.
That change will be in effect as of April 25, the Breeze Transit staff reported in response to a Sarasota News Leader inquiry this week.
When it was launched in March 2017, the trolley’s established route was a circuit between Turtle Beach Park, on the southern part of the Key, and Morton’s Siesta Market on Canal Road.
Smith noted on April 7 that he supports the decision to halt the downtown portion of the circuit. Yet, he continued, “One of the positives [of that route off the island] was that the trolley was going to the north end of the Village, instead of stopping at the midpoint.”
He had met with county staff on the Key, Smith added, with an eye toward letting the trolley proceed past its stop in front of Morton’s Siesta Market. The vehicle could continue north on Ocean Boulevard from the gazebo, proceed down Avenida Madera, make a left on Calle Minorga and then go on toward Avenida Milano, where it would stop. Next, Smith said, the trolley could make a left turn from Avenida Milano onto Ocean Boulevard and proceed south through the Village before heading back to Turtle Beach Park.
He asked his colleagues for their support in having staff research the potential of that adjusted route and include the details in what is known as a “board assignment,” or report to the commission.
Staff members “need to look at the streets and make sure [that revised route] works for them,” Smith added.
His goal, he made clear to his colleagues on April 7, is to ensure that the trolley route will enable passengers to visit businesses on the north end of the Village.
He formally made a motion to seek the board assignment, and then Commissioner Joe Neunder, who represents the southern portion of the Key, seconded it.
Commissioner Tom Knight did ask that the staff research include details of any extra county expenses for that change in the route.
Nonetheless, the motion passed 5-0.
During their February 26 budget workshop, the commissioners agreed to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis’ proposal to end the extended travel for the trolley to save $360,000 in recurring, annual expenses.
The route to downtown Sarasota began on Nov. 2, 2024.
In March 2023, during his first year on the board, Smith discussed with his colleagues seated at that time the potential of launching a pilot program entailing the extension of the trolley route to the northernmost part of Siesta Village.
In June 2022, the staff of what was then called Sarasota County Area Transit — or, SCAT — had produced a report about such a lengthened route.
As County Administrator Lewis noted during the March 2023 meeting, after Smith raised the extended route proposal, the SCAT report identified what Lewis characterized as “some complicating factors.” Boulders and large rocks are in one section of right of way, he said, adding that he assumed their placement in that area was to keep people from parking along the right of way.
A photo with the SCAT report showed a line of rocks on the east side of Calle Minorga.
Further, the report pointed out that Avenida Madera, Calle Minorga and Avenida Milano all have on-street parking, “which may lead to safety issues.” For example the report said, individuals backing out of parking spaces into the rights of way potentially could collide with the Breeze.
As the work is underway on the new assignment for staff, County Administrator Lewis said on April 7, he would recirculate the June 2022 report.
The commissioners in July 2022 celebrated the millionth passenger on what was then called the Breeze, a statistic that had been recorded in June 2022.
In the summer of 2022, the SCAT Department transitioned to the name Breeze Transit. Then, in May 2024, the staff rebranded the Siesta trolley as the 77 Siesta Islander. “We’re delighted to introduce the refreshed 77 Siesta Islander trolleys in coordination with the 2 millionth rider milestone,” said Transit Director Jane Grogg in a May 9, 2024 news release.