Charlotte, NC — A Better Offer

Rail Transit Online – September 2003

Negotiations between the Charlotte Area Transit System and Little Rock’s Central Arkansas Transit Authority for the lease of two replica Birney streetcars appear to be in the home stretch.  In early August, Little Rock officials said the deal had fallen through because Charlotte’s financial offer was too low.  But two weeks later CATS presented a sweetened bid that calls for a payment of $112,000 for an eight-month lease starting Jan. 1, not including transportation and insurance.  The latter issues are, according to CATA Executive Director Keith Jones, among 16 points being negotiated.  However, some Little Rock officials are still wary, concerned that the $800,000 trolleys could be damaged, possibly delaying the start of service on the 2.5-mi. (4 km) River Rail streetcar line, now scheduled for Oct. 1, 2004.  “You don't just go to Wal-Mart and pick up one,” North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.  CATA board of directors Chairman Bob Major has formed a committee to determine whether the agency should move forward with the lease.  CATS, which has ordered three identical cars from Gomaco Trolley Co. for delivery late next spring, is hoping to get an answer in early September so it can begin service on Charlotte’s two-mile (3.2 km) heritage line in February.