MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The return of the trolleys is in sight.
The first two of the new trolley buses have arrived in Memphis, the Memphis Area Transit Authority announced Friday. They will begin service in a few weeks on the Main Street trolley line.
The new buses, which are smaller and prettier than the current green hybrid buses, mark the first step toward reinstating the full trolley service and bringing back the vintage trolleys. The green buses will then switch to regular bus service as they get replaced.
MATA said it expects to utilize at least seven new trolley buses over the next few months, with the goal of eventually reintroducing the vintage trolleys.
“These trolley buses, while attractive, are the interim step in bringing the real vintage trolleys back,” MATA president and general manager Ron Garrison said. “Are they better than big green buses? Yes. Are they as attractive and iconic as real rail trolleys? They are close.”
MATA suspended the trolley service in June 2014 to review the trolleys’ safety and embark on time-consuming, expensive repairs after two trolley fires.
After the repairs were determined to take longer than anticipated, MATA brought in the green hybrid buses in April 2015 to mimic the trolleys.
These new buses, though still buses, have features that gives them the look and feel of the vintage trolleys, including oak slat seating and arched windows. They are also accessible for people with disabilities.
One of the new buses will be on display on South Main from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday.