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Council approves permit for a third tram-style tour vehicle with safety conditions
Summary
Island Enterprises asked to convert a banked vehicle permit to operate a third safari-tram (named the Osprey); the council approved the oversized-vehicle permit modification with conditions including parking arrangements, safety equipment and hearing-officer review for oversize permits.
Island Enterprises requested council approval to use a banked commercial-vehicle permit to operate a third tram-style vehicle, the "Osprey," a 2026 Chevy 4500 similar to the company's existing fleet.
Heather Milburn described the vehicle and operations: "This safari tram... will be called the Osprey. It's the same body style. It's a 2026 Chevy 4,500. Vehicle length is 348 inches. Has safety belts on all passengers, fleet GPS, 365 degree cameras." She said a naturalist accompanies passengers and drivers remain in radio contact with the naturalist.
Staff noted the vehicle will be homed at Seaport with an additional off-site parking lease at Fairview Terrace; operations will typically run one or two vehicles a day depending on seasonality, with two vehicles on busier cruise-ship days. Council approved a modification allowing an oversized commercial vehicle operating under stated conditions and noted a hearing-officer review would address formal oversized-permit findings.
Council members discussed scheduling to avoid peak-traffic conflicts and the need to manage pickup/drop-off locations during mall construction. The permit includes conditions for insurance, vehicle stickers, and compliance with stated operational limits.
