Memphis Area Transit Authority
MATA CEO Gary Rosenfeld (left) and COO Alvin Pearson announce the return of the trolleys during a news conference.
Memphis’ trolleys will return to Main Street on Monday, April 30.
Officials with the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) announced the move in a news conference Monday.
“Thank you Memphis and visitors for your patience!” reads a post on the MATA Facebok page.
Customers can ride for free on the Main Street trolley line until May 14.
— Memphis Area Transit (@RideMATA) April 16, 2018
Trolleys Return This Month
Here’s a full statement about the return from MATA:
The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) announced today the Main Street Trolley Line will be back in service for customers on Monday, April 30th operating from the William Hudson Transit Center (Main and A.W. Willis) to the Butler Station (Main and Butler).
MATA received approval last Friday from the Federal Transit Administration and the Tennessee Department of Transportation that revenue service can begin in two weeks.
The following is the tentative operating schedule:
• Initially, the rail line will operate with the following three trolley cars: 234, 453, and 540.
• From Sunday through Thursday, the Main Street Trolley line will operate with two trolley cars and run every 30 minutes.
• On Fridays and Saturdays, the Main Street Trolley line will operate with three cars and run every 20 minutes.
• Hours of operation: Monday-Friday: 6:45 a.m.-(midnight), Saturday: 8 a.m.-(midnight), and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Customers can ride for free on the Main Street Trolley line rail cars until May 14.
The tentative operating schedule will continue until the refurbishments on (trolley cars) 455, 539, and 799 are completed next month. After the repairs are finished, additional rail testing will be conducted to ensure those trolley cars have met established and required safety standards.
Gary Rosenfeld, chief executive officer of MATA, says today’s announcement is a major accomplishment for the public transit authority and the City of Memphis.
“Almost four years ago the rail trolleys stopped running and now, we are proud to announce that the Main Street Trolley line will be back in service serving the Memphis community and visitors in just two weeks,” Rosenfeld said. “We are proud that we have diligently and meticulously restored the trolley cars to be the safest in the nation.”
