Galveston trolley cars return to service after 13 years
September 29th, 2021
September 29, 2021 - TRA Newswire -
Galveston's popular electric trolleys will be back on track October 1st, 13 years after Hurricane Ike damaged all four of the vintage cars.
Galveston Mayor Craig Brown said “we’ve been looking forward to the return of the beloved trolleys since they were damaged in Hurricane Ike and are thrilled the public will soon be able to ride them once again."
The electric trolleys, first introduced to the Island streets in 1891 ran until 1938 when the lines were abandoned. Fifty years later the Galveston Island Trolley was established and was an icon of the city until Hurricane Ike swept through on September 13, 2008. Since 2008 rubber-wheeled trolleys have been plying the streets while the steel rails remained intact.
“The trolley restoration project has been a long time in the works and we’re ready to have the public enjoying them again,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “We’d like to thank all of our partners who worked with us to bring back the trolleys, including TXDOT and the Federal Transportation Agency.”
Galveston trolleys will operate Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 7pm. Rides will be free for the cars' first weekend of operation. After this weekend the fare will be $1.00. There is no charge for children accompanied by an adult. Riders must bring exact change for the fare box as trolley operators can not make change.
Galveston's popular electric trolleys will be back on track October 1st, 13 years after Hurricane Ike damaged all four of the vintage cars.
Galveston Mayor Craig Brown said “we’ve been looking forward to the return of the beloved trolleys since they were damaged in Hurricane Ike and are thrilled the public will soon be able to ride them once again."
The electric trolleys, first introduced to the Island streets in 1891 ran until 1938 when the lines were abandoned. Fifty years later the Galveston Island Trolley was established and was an icon of the city until Hurricane Ike swept through on September 13, 2008. Since 2008 rubber-wheeled trolleys have been plying the streets while the steel rails remained intact.
“The trolley restoration project has been a long time in the works and we’re ready to have the public enjoying them again,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “We’d like to thank all of our partners who worked with us to bring back the trolleys, including TXDOT and the Federal Transportation Agency.”
Galveston trolleys will operate Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 7pm. Rides will be free for the cars' first weekend of operation. After this weekend the fare will be $1.00. There is no charge for children accompanied by an adult. Riders must bring exact change for the fare box as trolley operators can not make change.