VIRGINIA BEACH -- Trolley cars will be returning to the Va. Beach Oceanfront.
Tonight, Council said OK to a $1.4 million appropriation to buy 14 trolleys to shuttle people up and down Atlantic Avenue.
Last year, City Council voted on the first installment of funding.
City Council originally planned to purchase the trolley buses over two years, but buying them all at once will be cheaper and less confusing for tourists, says Councilman John Uhrin, who represents the Beach District.
The aging trolleys were replaced them with hybrid buses in 2008.
"The whole purpose is to get it to be more festive and more tourism kind of effect," said Mark Shea, a Va. Beach transportation planner.
The total cost for the city will be $2.7 million, Uhrin stated. Federal money appropriated through a state grant will cover the rest of the $6 million project.
Then, officials will meet with Hampton Roads Transit to finalize the contract so the fleet will be ready to roll in time for the summer tourist season.
A ticket to ride will be $2.00.
