Chicagoist: City Discontinues Trolley

sodium11

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:45:51 -0600

Of course, there is always the good old CTA. Perhaps if some of these tourists started buying 1-day or multi-day passes instead of riding around on the free trolley, the CTA could make up some of the deficit caused by Blojo's free-rides-for-seniors brain fart. Also, the tourists could then have the option of seeing more of the city, as opposed to just the tourist traps like Navy Pier that are served by the free trolley.

kgvs72

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:42:31 -0600

I don't know who runs the "trolleys", but they shouldn't have them in the first place. I'd say redecorate new CTA Buses that have routes in downtown. When it's time for maintenance, rebadge them as regular CTA buses and bring in the new buses to routes in downtown. Those aren't really trolleys by the way, and you have to be on a real tight budget or a cheap tourist to be in downtown and not want to pay for bus fare. How about lowering the prices on those one to seven day passes? Throw some incentives as well like discounts in downtown stores, restaurants, etc. If I'm not mistaken there used to be passes so that one can attend the AIC and other museums in the downtown area. Walking is even free and healthier.

Rob Christopher

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:10:10 -0600

Let people walk. We all need more exercise anyway.

BWChicago

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:59:35 -0600

$2 per rider is pretty low...

Chicago D

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:58:59 -0600

Perhaps the business at Navy Pier and on Michigan Avenue will work out a way to fund all or part of this. Not that uncommon, and the trolly has (seemingly) proved to be a worthwhile investment for them.

mike_thoms

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:58:09 -0600

They should just charge a small fee, i'm sure tourists would still go for it. it is very simple for an out-of-towner and in some cases it's the best way to get to some of the museums and other sites, even if you are a resident.

mss2400

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:19:38 -0600

I've seen people lined up for them in the summer. It seems like a pretty good idea to have some tourist-friendly transporation that directly links some of the major downtown sites. Perhaps they should have considered charging a nominal fare (i.e. $1.00 or $2.00 for a day of unlimited rides?)

garlic

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:18:46 -0600

And why make a tourist transit system free?

mike_thoms

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:10:32 -0600

I never knew the genesis of the trolleys...that's hilarious. Daley goes to San Fran and we get a trolley. One wonders if we could get an aerial tram if he ever travels to Colorado for a ski trip