Eva Ritchey, who serves as the “coordinator” for the Hendersonville Trolley Co., Inc., stated, “When we did the research we couldn’t find a single trolley that wasn’t used by a tourism company that was not supported by public funds.” Ritchey described the trolley as “a much needed service for our community” and, according to the Blue Ridge Now report, “urged residents to come out and see the trolley and imagine the potential for it to boost Hendersonville.”

It didn’t work. Hendersonville City Council, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, and the local Travel and Tourism Board all refused requests to subsidize trolley service.