Trolley carsPlans have been in the works to bring a trolley system to Ann Arbor since 2006. Routes would include the downtown area, Briarwood Mall, Plymouth Rd , all the Medical Complexes and central University of Michigan Campus.

Although plans are in the early stages, there does seem to be a lot of interest in trolleys. According to Mayor John Hieftje, about 70,000 people commute into Ann Arbor daily over 26 miles each way. The Mayor has said it would reduce traffic and pollution in the city and every metropolitan city has mass transit. City officials for the Ann Arbor Down Town Development Authority think this could be accomplished by 2015.


The trolley car system would make the driving distance shorter between points, by making fewer stops like the current bus system. Although the bus system would not be totally eliminated it would be cut back.

Money is always an issue, when new services are added to a city. There are federal programs to help out with this, if Ann Arbor can prove the need for one. At that point the City of Ann Arbor would only need to pick up about 80% of the bill. Regardless, it will lost millions.

So what do you think?

1) Would you use the trolley system?

2) How much of the time ?

3) Daily?

4) Weekly?

5) Just for fun?

Besides it being a really cool idea to be like San Franciso, how many people in Ann Arbor would use this? It sure would be nice to get on at Briarwood Mall and scoot downtown Ann Arbor to finish shopping.

Comments are welcome and appreciated.

Share This