Ladysmith is selling its iconic trolley.
During a Nov. 4 council meeting, council accepted an offer from the City of Langford to purchase the 2009 Supreme Trolley Bus for $82,000, as-is — including the supply of related equipment, such as tires, custom parts and Christmas light frame.
Council also agreed to direct the revenue from the sale of the trolley to the Community Gas Tax Community Works Fund, to be used for future eligible projects.
These projects could potentially include transit-related infrastructure improvements, provided that the project is eligible for gas tax funding, according to Town staff.
Council had directed Town of Ladysmith staff to dispose of the trolley to another municipality during a meeting in late May.
The Town of Ladysmith subsequently received an offer from the City of Langford to purchase the unit at a cost of $82,000, as-is.
“Staff consider this offer is a reasonable price for this four-year-old vehicle, which has been in constant service since 2009,” John Manson, the Town’s director of infrastructure services, wrote in his report to council.
This trolley was purchased with gas tax funds, and selling it to another municipality limits the Town’s financial liability for repaying the gas tax funds, explained Manson.
If the Town sold the trolley to a non-government agency, it would be required to pay back nearly $100,000 to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, council was told back in May.
The Town of Ladysmith still has one trolley, a 1989 Champlain model, which is being kept for use during community events.