Loop Trolley Dedication Ceremony To Be Held At City/County Line Thursday

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- This Thursday, November 15, 2018 key dignitaries, partners and stakeholders within the community will gather to commemorate the culmination of testing and officially declare the new 2.2-mile-long fixed-track, electric rail system open for service.

The dedication will be held at the intersection of Limit Ave. and Delmar Blvd. beginning at 10:30 am. Dignitaries will provide remarks and city and county officials will drive a ceremonial "Golden Spike" at the city/county line.

The start of revenue service to the general public is an exciting time as we celebrate the center piece of the loop experience. As the Loop focuses on progressing forward and strengthening connections between residents, visitors and businesses, the trolley is the community's vehicle that's generating greater momentum in the effort to impact businesses, unite St. Louis and bring people to one of America's great streets in a unique and creative way.

"We are elated to have the trolley open to the public. So many wonderful people have worked together to get us to this point. I'm sure everyone is excited at the opportunity to ride on these beautifully refurbished Portland trolleys," stated Joe Edwards, chairman of the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District (LTTDD). "We will start with an initial schedule and then expand once the third trolley car gets put into service. There's no question that this will be a great asset to our city, The Loop and our region as a whole."

"We know everyone has been thrilled to see the trolleys running on the street, and now we are very excited that the general public has the opportunity to ride on these incredible cars," noted Les Sterman, chairman of The Loop Trolley Company. "We have a great staff that has worked incredibly hard to get us here."

This project is a major enhancement in the community and it will guarantee that the Loop area continues to be a top destination and a community where residents and students can work and live.

"The Loop Trolley is an important part of the vision to create a vibrant neighborhood in a historic area that brings the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County together," stated Bob Clark, Chairman and CEO of Clayco. Clayco and its St. Louis-based real estate firm CRG provided a $500,000 grant to bridge a funding gap allowing the LTC to begin revenue service. 

Important details regarding operations and public safety:

Hours of Operation and Fare Structure 
The Loop Trolley will begin service with an initial schedule that includes two cars. 

Fares
The standard tickets are $2.00 for a Two-Hour Fare* and $5.00 for an All-Day Fare. A 50% Reduced Fare is available to passengers age 65 or older, passengers with disabilities and children age 5-12 with adult supervision. Reduced Fare passengers may be asked to show valid identification. Existing examples include state-issued license/ID, a Metro ADA Paratransit Permit, or a valid Reduced "Fare Pass from Metro, St. Clair County Transit District, or Madison County Transit. 

*For rider convenience, additional "wait time" has been included on the Two-Hour Fare during our initial schedule

How to take a Ride
When looking to ride The Loop Trolley, find one of our ten platform stop signs with The Loop Trolley logo. Each platform stop has a ticket vending machine where tickets can be purchased with cash or credit card. On average, the trolleys run on 20-25-minute intervals.     

Accessibility
Each trolley has been updated to meet the current accessibility standards, including ADA lifts and seating/securement considerations for those with wheelchairs. Likewise, the station platforms each include accessible ramps. Ticket vending machines are enhanced with braille and audio-access options. 

Staying Safe Around the Trolley
The Loop Trolley is designed to run on rails in the street alongside traffic and pedestrians, and is a new addition to the traffic mix. It's important for the public to be aware of their surroundings and understand how the trolleys will operate along the trolley route so they can take the necessary precautions. The trolleys will share a lane with other moving vehicles and travel along with traffic, in both directions, up to the speed limit (25 mph) – just like a bus. They will follow the same traffic signals as other vehicles. There is, however, one vital distinction between the trolley and other vehicles: The trolleys cannot swerve to avoid obstacles. It's also important to keep in mind there are no barriers separating the trolleys from other road users. More safety information can be found on our website www.looptrolley.com.  

The Loop Trolley is a 2.2-mile, fixed-route, electrically powered, heritage trolley that links St. Louis City and County in an exciting new way. The trolley runs through the Delmar Loop along Delmar Blvd. and continues on DeBaliviere Ave. to the Missouri History Museum, connecting people and neighborhoods, the past and the present. From restaurants and shopping to entertainment, recreation and the arts, riders can take in the multitude of things to do along the route as they enjoy both the country's "#1 City Park" and "One of the 10 Great Streets in America."

Owned by The Loop Trolley Transportation Development District and operated by The Loop Trolley Company, The Loop Trolley promotes connectivity, environmentally friendly transportation and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods to enhance quality of life, increase tourism and help spur economic development. For details, visit www.looptrolley.com, where residents can sign up to receive regular updates via email, call 314-725-5000 or email [email protected]. For additional information, like the Loop Trolley on Facebook at facebook.com/looptrolley or follow the organization on Twitter @LoopTrolley.

Media Contact
Oliver Muenz-Winkler
(502) 649-3410
[email protected]

SOURCE Clayco

Related Links

http://www.looptrolley.com