Local Business Leaders Come Together To Change the Culture of South Walton

Santa Rosa Beach, FL -- (SBWire) -- 06/23/2015 --On May 23rd, Florida's South Walton County once again welcomed. Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine's community transportation program, the 30A Trolley. Affectionately known as the Turtle Express, this free transportation program is privately funded by local business leaders dedicated to changing the car-centric culture of the area. John Finch, Sunshine's Owner, sees this as a positive continuation from last year's inaugural run, and a natural expansion of the program along the western portion of 30A. "Last year we ran a very successful pilot program, covering just 6 miles of 30A. This year, thanks to our generous sponsors, we've expanded the route from Seaside to the westernmost housing development, Cypress Dunes," Finch said. "The leaders we've worked with know that investing in a system will benefit everybody, not just their businesses and communities. Everyone benefits from this positive change."

Those leaders include:

- Jim Sumpter & Janice Gaultney, Cypress Dunes HOA
- Jeff Freeman, Cypress Dunes & Bill Livingston, JW Homes
- Robert Davis & Pam Avera, Town of Seaside
- Jane & Marie Solomon, Grace Point
- Marc Russack, Highlands House
- Tim & Alice Pauls, 30-A Suites
- Colleen Sachs & Lois La Seur, Attorneys at Law

"Our homeowners felt it was important to invest in the future of transportation along 30A," Jim Sumpter of Cypress Dunes said. "We use it for beach access transportation and to travel around at night. And since anyone can ride from the designated stops, we think this is a good second step in moving the transportation discussion forward. Cars should be the second option on 30A, not the first." This fabled program has long been discussed in South Walton. Mr. Finch and Alan Roberts, VP & Dir. Of Business Development, sought funding from several sources. In the end, a private system was not only expedient, but also collaborative. "I think what they did was the best solution, especially for my business," said Marc Russack, Owner of Highlands House. "My guests like to experience all of 30A, but they prefer to leave the car behind. Having a stop brings people here and allows my guests to get out and explore the entire community."

The 30A Trolley stops at Cypress Dunes, 30-A Suites/Celebration Hall, Stallworth Beach, Gulf Place/Trustmark Bank, Highlands House, Blue Mountain, Redfish Village/The Bowery, Grayton Corners, and Seaside/Central Square. A live map showing all stops and the vehicle in real time is viewable on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone at: sunshineshuttle.com.

Hours of operation: 11am – 10pm, May 23 – Sept. 7, 2015.

About Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine
Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine is a full service, locally owned and operated transportation service provider. The largest ground transportation company in NW Florida, it has three divisions: Sunshine Coach, Sunshine Limousine, and Sunshine Shuttle. Founded in 2004 by John Finch, the company has over 75 vehicles and maintains state-of-the-art 24/7/365 reservation capabilities, along with sophisticated live GPS tracking and dispatch software. Alan Roberts

VP, Dir. of Business Development
Sunshine Shuttle & Limousine
323 Lynn Drive
Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
917-524-4818
Alan@sunshineshuttle.com
http://www.sunshineshuttle.com
http://www.sunshinecoachlines.com
http://www.sunshinelimousine.net