SJ volunteers booted out of tram station ...

[scottmac]

Sad little story:

http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2014/04/25/volunteers-feud-tramway-visitor-center/8137873/

[NickersonHikes]

Such a bummer! I was actually up there on Saturday hoping to by a topo of the mountain but they were packing up! Plus the gift shops don't sell any maps, so alas no map for me...

I hope they bring it back soon.

[Sally]

Yep, a bummer indeed! I have bought maps, patches, bandanas, books, little stuffed animals, etc. there, not minding the prices because I knew I was supporting a good cause. I will miss the shop.

[cynthia23]

Wow, thank you for posting that ScottMac. What a disturbing story. Doesn't the tram make enough money from all their concessions? They seriously have to shove out that tiny little shop that only sold a few trinkets, all for a good cause? I bought books and maps there the gift shop doesn't sell. Now the park loses thousands, and the tram will make what, an extra twenty bucks a week? Between this and the parking fees, I'm completely fed up with them. The tram company's greedy grasping after every last dollar they can squeeze is as disgusting as their restaurant's food.

[zippetydude]

The tram company's greedy grasping after every last dollar they can squeeze is as disgusting as their restaurant's food.

And there you have it, folks. Cynthia, you going tomorrow? I'll buy you a beer for that one.

z

[OldnSlow]

Anyone else encounter the new policy of charging for down rides on the tram? My friends just had this happen after hiking Skyline.

[cynthia23]

Thanks for the offer Zip, but alas beer and me don't get along anymore Stella Artois and me used to be BFF but I had to dump her. Hopefully Ellen is making up for my defection from the beer industry.

I don't mind the tram charging me to ride the tram, be it uphill or down, but their overall lack of community spirit offends me. Interestingly there were a number of angry letters in the Desert Sun today about the tram's behavior. Perhaps they'll reconsider if they get enough bad PR.

[OldnSlow]

That policy has been there for years.

Right, but I've never been asked for a ticket when heading down in hiking gear. Not opposed to paying our fair share or for services used, but this last time she was pretty rude about it.

[Perry]

This sucks. The tram is supposed to be non-profit, and much of it operates on public land. It would be nice if we could see how much money comes in and how it's spent.

[OtherHand]

The tram is a public authority (the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority), with monthly meetings open to the public. Public record laws require them to make their budgets available to anyone who wants to peruse them.

Another interesting document, which has to be made publicly available, is their operating agreement with the California State Parks. This is from the 2011 Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Interpretation Master Plan:

The most recent operating agreement was entered into between the WPA and CSP in November 1996. This agreement covers issues such as operations, rates, tolls and charges, rent to CSP, construction and interpretation. It also stipulates that no additional permanent development can occur within the Mount San Jacinto State Park until a General Plan is developed for the park. (The General Plan was adopted in April 2002.)