El Paso Streetcar Returns With Free Fares

The historic streetcars will connect uptown and downtown amenities in a 4.8-mile loop.

2 minute read

August 4, 2021, 11:08 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


El Paso Trolleys

El Paso's network of trolleys first operated between the 1950s and 1970s. | Visit El Paso / Flickr

The City of El Paso saw the return of its streetcar last weekend, reports Lisa Sanchez, "[e]xciting news for El Pasoans who have missed taking a ride down memory lane in our El Paso Streetcars." 

The historic trolleys date back to trolley carts first installed in 1902 to replace the city's mule car system, which then expanded into  a full streetcar system that served El Pasoans during the 1950s through 1970s. According to Destination El Paso, "[t]he project began with the construction of 4.8 miles of track, 27 stops, a maintenance and storage facility and associated infrastructure, along with the remanufacture of streetcars that used to serve El Paso." Today, six streetcars are back in service. 

"The Streetcar travels a 4.8-mile route in two loops through El Paso’s uptown and downtown areas. Both loops interconnect an international bridge, an array of businesses and restaurants, a baseball park, government buildings, historic neighborhoods, hospitals, and higher education institutions like the University of Texas at El Paso amongst many other prominent locations." Riders can also connect to other Sun Metro services. "The El Paso Streetcars will run Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight. The streetcar will be free during these times and for the first weekend, streetcar passengers can park for free the weekend of July 29th - July 31st at the Glory Road Transfer Center at UTEP."

Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in KLAQ

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Yellow electric school bus with preteen students exiting.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses

The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

April 25 - Associated Press

City Hall building in Austin, Texas.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund

A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

April 25 - Spectrum Local News

Brick school building with mid-sized tree on front lawn.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards

Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.

April 25 - Governing