Slow Ride! Take a Trolley!

Slow Ride! Take a Trolley!

When it comes to downtown transportation, Memphis rolls old school with a light rail trolley system.

On the downtown trolley, Memphis, Tenn.

I decided to take a trip on the Riverfront Loop trolley yesterday. When I saw a trolley pulling up to the stop at Union and Main, I ran across the street, stuck a dollar in the fare box and settled into a seat facing the rear of the car.

As the trolley gently rumbled down the Main St. Mall, I couldn't help but notice restaurants and shops I've never noticed before, newly renovated buildings and the fact that my favorite local fountain is off for the winter.

What I failed to notice was that I had gotten on the wrong trolley - instead of the Riverfront Loop, I had chosen the "Main Street Only" train. It was no big deal, though - I got off at the MATA station on North Main and waited for the next (correct) trolley.

Inside the Riverfront Loop Trolley, Memphis, Tenn.

The Riverfront Loop trolley was a emptier than the first, and warmer, too (I must have been sitting directly over a heater, but it was totally pleasant). The Riverfront Loop trolley makes a big oval from the MATA Station at Main and North Parkway around the Pyramid to Riverside (where the views of the Mississippi are incredible), through the new housing on the bluff, past the train station, then through South Main and onto the Main St. Mall.

There's a bit of a running joke in town that you can out-walk a trolley. And it's true - the pace of the downtown trolleys is leisurely. Riding the whole Riverfront loop will take about half an hour.

But riding the trolley is one of the best ways to see a lot of downtown Memphis. The views from the windows are incredible, and a trolley ride provides some great photo opportunities. I ran into reader Mary Allison on the trolley yesterday, and she said that some of the best pictures she's ever taken of her two young children have been on the trolley.

Watch your step on the trolley in Memphis, Tenn.

MATA operates three different trolley lines: the Main St. only (which runs on, you guessed it - Main St. only), the Riverfront Loop, and one that runs from Madison Ave. downtown to Madison Ave. and Cleveland in Midtown.

Rides are $1 each and are free between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and during special events (like Trolley Tour on the last Friday of every month). During the week, you can catch a trolley at any one of 35 stops every 10 minutes between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays, the trolleys run until 1 a.m., and on Sundays, service stops at 6 p.m.

For more information about seeing downtown on the trolley system, check out the schedule and rate information from MATA.

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Otto
I don't think the Trolley's are free from 11 am to 1 pm. That's the lunch fare time, so it's half price (50 cents).
February 3, 2010 1:54pm
mary allison
hi kerry! it was great to meet you yesterday. thanks again for helping my family and me take full advantage of our beloved memphis.
February 3, 2010 3:45pm
Pramanth
Hi Kerry,thanks for the useful blog. I am new to Memphis was planning to go around Memphis by using public transport.I am staying near to windyke country club(winchester) can you guide me in reaching downtown and taking Riverfront trolley.When i searched in MATA i found this route, reach winchester Hacks -> take 10 Watkins/36 Lamar -> get down in Auction Avenue after reaching Auction Avenue i can take Riverfront trolly. Can i go according to this?How is MATA service? Thanks, Pramanth
March 2, 2010 5:46pm
Kerry (admin)
The route that MATA suggested is probably the best one. Once you're downtown, you can get to the Riverfront loop as well as the trolley that runs from downtown to Cleveland and Poplar.
March 2, 2010 6:16pm
Pramanth
Thanks Kerry :)
March 2, 2010 6:50pm
krishna
Hai, i would like to move winchester, memphis area. one of my fnd is there. is it any local car ride is available in that area. from my job to house and return. if it is there, i move and i saw my job. with regards, krishna
March 28, 2010 11:29pm
Patty
Omg the conducter stopped for a smoke break . But was still a nice ride to see the city
October 21, 2013 5:56pm