TRAVERSE CITY -- It's unknown who will take the trolley.
Bay Area Transportation Authority owns the trolley, well-known around town for its old-time look and charm, and popular for wedding parties and wine tours.
Two local limousine companies want to buy BATA's trolley, but the public transit agency's director thinks the community may be better served by donating it to the Traverse City Film Festival.
"It has value for the private sector, but it probably has more value for the public sector because the film festival has ongoing events at the State Theatre and can utilize it for senior citizens and other groups on a regular basis," said Tom Menzel, BATA's executive director.
Trouble is, both limo company owners stake claim to the trolley and neither one is keen on Menzel's donation concept.
BATA paid $50,000 for the trolley in 2000 and rented it out for private events until 2007, when federal laws changed to prevent publicly funded transit agencies from competing with private charter companies. BATA can't legally donate the trolley and must receive at least its depreciated value of $5,000, Menzel said.
Meanwhile, the trolley is deteriorating from lack of use because it sat idle for two years.
Celtic Shuttle and Tours and New York Luxury Limos, both based in Traverse City, bid on the trolley. Celtic bid $7,100 and New York bid $7,450 to win the effort.
Rather than sell the trolley outright -- and to mediate a potential legal fight -- Menzel pitched the idea for the companies to split its value and donate it to the film festival. The companies would receive positive publicity and a tax write-off, he said.
Deb Lake, the film festival's executive director, said the trolley could be used as a theater and festival shuttle.
Not a bad idea, said Michael Bryan, New York Luxury Limos owner, just not in this economy.
"If it were something I wanted to add on, it would be fine. But I intended to use it to replace another bus," Bryan said.
Bryan already is booking events for the trolley, including weddings, since he learned two weeks ago that he submitted the winning bid.
Not so fast, said John O'Brien, Celtic's owner, who said he purchased the trolley before Bryan's company submitted a bid.
"This whole business of wanting a small business to donate $2,500 is a moot point because we had a sales agreement on the vehicle," O'Brien said. "It's just out of the question."
O'Brien contends BATA can't sell the trolley to his competitor because he bought it first.
Menzel said BATA's legal counsel will determine which bid must be honored, if the charitable proposal falls flat.
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