In 2022, the Cary Town Council approved the purchase of two trolleys for a Downtown Cary Loop service. The goal was to address parking concerns and provide additional transit options. The trolleys were to be part of the federally-funded GoCary transit system, which requires compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for vehicles and passenger facilities.
After delivery in summer 2023, Cary staff found the trolleys did not meet ADA requirements. The space for mobility devices was two inches too short, and one securement area was on a slope, making it unsafe for wheelchair users. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) confirmed the trolleys were not compliant. Cary staff began looking for replacement vehicles and stored the trolleys.
The Downtown Loop service, originally planned for fall 2023, was delayed. It started in spring 2024 using standard GoCary buses. Cary worked with Specialty Vehicles, the broker, and Hometown Manufacturing, the manufacturer, to resolve the issue. Specialty Vehicles first agreed to exchange the trolleys but later stopped responding. Cary notified another transit agency about the issue, and that agency canceled its order…