"I appreciate everyone coming because it is easier to answer all of your questions at once than do individual interviews.

The recent revelations about Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation have raised questions about the organization and its role with the City.

Let me start by saying that tourism is an important economic driver for our city and KTSC has been an integral partner in that effort. KTSC has an existing contract with the City under which they have delivered valuable work. I know many of the good people there - both on the board and on staff. They work very hard and are committed to promoting the City and all of its assets. Let's not lose sight of this as we move forward.

However, in focusing on the stewardship of taxpayer dollars, I have many concerns. I have already stated that the pay and compensation package for President and CEO Gloria Ray is excessive.

In light of recent documents, I believe that the compensation is not consistent with what this community expects for an organization heavily-funded by taxpayer dollars.

To restore confidence in this critically-important organization and its mission, I recommend that Gloria Ray resign; and I am asking that the executive committee, who had oversight of Ms. Ray's compensation, also step aside and that the board take appropriate action to review all issues that have been raised."

Effective Monday, August 15, the new trolley routes, which were approved by the Knoxville Transportation Authority (KTA) board earlier this year, will take effect.

New Trolley Routes

Downtown Loop: runs Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown Loop extension (providing service to Summit Towers) runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Every 10 minutes)

Gay Street Line: runs Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Every 10 minutes)

Vol Line: runs Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fridays, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Every 10 minutes weekdays before 6 p.m.; every 15 minutes after 6 p.m. and on Saturdays)

Trolleys do not run on holidays or on Saturdays when there is a UT home football game.

The trolley service operates fare-free.

You can download a pdf of the new trolley route system map here.

After several months of public input, including stakeholder meetings and public input meetings, Knoxville Area Transit, working with Knoxville Transportation Authority (KTA) special committee members, has introduced proposed changes to the downtown trolley system.

The proposal calls for a restructuring of the trolley system into three new trolley lines: a Vol Line, which would travel from The University of Tennessee/Cumberland Avenue area, past the Convention Center and through downtown to Knoxville Station and the Civic Coliseum Garage; a Gay Street Line, which would travel up and down Gay Street, terminating at the southern end at Marriott Hotel on Hill Avenue, and at the northern end at the free parking underneath Interstate 40; a Downtown Loop Line which would connect the Civic Coliseum Garage and Knoxville Station with a downtown loop that serves Gay Street, Summit Hill, Locust Street and Main Street.

The proposal also calls for Saturday trolley service on the Vol Line and the Gay Street Line until 10:00 p.m., as well as later service on Friday evening for those two lines. The full proposal is available here in PDF format.

This proposal would replace current trolley services, which include the Orange Line, Blue Line, and Late Line trolley routes.

KAT examined the trolley system after the move to Knoxville Station created a prominent need to better connect people from the transit center to downtown. In addition, the public input process revealed other requests for the trolley service, including: Saturday service, later evening service, and connections further north on Gay Street.

The full proposal is available for viewing on KAT's website, www.katbus.com, and comments are encouraged. The KTA will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 28, 2011 to accept comments on the proposed changes. The public hearing will be held in the Main Assembly Room of the City County Building, 400 Main Street. Comments can also be made by calling 637-3000 or by visiting the KAT website and clicking on "Contact us."

The KTA is scheduled to vote on proposed changes in May. If approved, the changes would take effect in mid-August of this year.