If you have ever tried to find parking in Carmel on weekends you will agree this is big news. Between angling for parking spots that are shared with tree trunks and dodging meter maids who never miss by a minute, trolleys can fill a big need. The service is free; who woulda thought?

They come to Carmel from Monterey Salinas Transit:

The Carmel Trolley will operate on weekends only including the Labor Day holiday through Monday, September 7, 2009. The Trolley will circulate the city departing every 30 minutes from 10 AM to 6 PM stopping at destinations including Carmel Beach, Sunset Center, Carmel Mission and numerous stops throughout the downtown area.The Victorian-style trolley is designed to capture the look and feel of an authentic turn-of-the-century streetcar. The 27-passenger coach boasts numerous modern features; wheelchair accessibility using vehicle-mounted electric lifts, “kneeling bus” capabilities to make boarding easier, “Smart Bus” AVL/GPS technology to continuously track location of vehicles via satellite and security cameras to provide added safety for passengers and coach operators.

Funded by the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, the partnership creates an opportunity for visitors and locals to receive free transportation service without worrying about parking and traffic while also reducing traffic congestion and fuel emissions.

Parking lots are at Carmel Plaza (fee), the Sunset Center(fee), and Vista Lobos at Junipero and 3rd(free). Trolleys will be as far north as Camino Del Monte, west to San Antonio and 8th, east to Junipero (north) and Rio Road/Carmel Mission (south), and south to, again Carmel Mission over to 15th. We need to give credit to Hunter Horvath of MST and Karen Sharp, Carmel councilwoman for this long-needed solution. Locals need to use this too; maybe we can extend its use…

The MST Trolley has been running for years between the Monterey Aquarium and the Monterey Transit Plaza. Here is a link to the Monetery Salinas Transit brochure.

(Beach photo courtesy Natural Light Seeker)