The town of Damariscotta will donate $2,000 to join Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Lincoln County, Newcastle and private donors in support of a new trolley service.
The Damariscotta Board of Selectmen voted to donate $2,000 to help start the service April 16.
The primary purpose of the trolley is to provide affordable and convenient public transportation to and from the Newcastle train station, where passenger service will resume this summer after a 55-year absence.
The trolley will also be available for general use. For example, employees of downtown Damariscotta businesses will be able to park off-site and ride the trolley to work.
The trolley will circle the Twin Villages from about 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, with 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. trips to Boothbay Harbor.
Passengers will be able to ride for free in the Twin Villages; round-trip fare to Boothbay or Boothbay Harbor will be $3 with a train ticket, $5 without.
Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Lincoln County will donate $2,000 apiece in startup funds. Newcastle plans to contribute the cost of liability insurance for the train station, which it estimates at about $2,000.
The trolley service will cost about $27,000. The Newcastle Depot Committee’s Train and Trolley Subcommittee has raised most of the money. The trolley will also generate revenue through advertising and ticket sales.
Country Coach Charters LLC, of Nobleboro, will operate the trolley.
