St. Louis Trolley Streetcar Ridership Dismal in the Early Days

The St. Louis Loop Trolley isn't running at full capacity, yet, but it's also falling well short of its projected ridership.

1 minute read

July 7, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


St. Louis, Missouri

Paul Sableman / Wikimedia Commons

[Updated October 14, 2019) Mark Schlinkmann reports from St. Louis, where, "[a]fter more than a half-year in business, the Loop Trolley’s ridership and farebox revenue is lagging as the line continues to operate on a limited-hours schedule with just two of its three cars in service."

The trolley launched service on Nov. 16, 2018, and has been operating four days a week, instead of seven as planned in early budget documents that set ridership targets. Since opening, "11,364 tickets have been sold, producing farebox revenue of $22,283," reports Schlinkmann.

The trolley's third car is underway with testing, after a delayed delivery in January, which Loop Trolley officials hope will help increase the number of people who find reason to ride the streetcar.

Wednesday, July 3, 2019 in St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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