Detroit Downtown Trolley
| Company type | Public transit service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | September 20, 1976 |
| Defunct | June 21, 2003 |
| Fate | Service indefinitely suspended |
| Headquarters | Detroit , United States |
Area served | Downtown Detroit, Michigan |
| Owner | Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) |
The Detroit Downtown Trolley, also referred to as the Washington Boulevard Trolley and the Detroit Citizens Railway, operated as a heritage trolley line within Downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. This narrow-gauge transit system commenced service on September 20, 1976, as part of the United States Bicentennial celebrations and ceased operations on June 21, 2003. The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) was responsible for its operation and upkeep.
History and route
Conceived to stimulate renewal along the Washington Boulevard, the trolley initially ran between Grand Circus Park in the north and Cobo Center near the Detroit Riverfront. A five-block stretch of Washington Boulevard was redesigned into a pedestrian mall accommodating the streetcar, which included a passing track located at State Street. Approaching Congress Street, the route shifted westward along Washington Boulevard, ending at Jefferson Avenue just outside Cobo Center. The launch on September 20, 1976, featured prominent city officials and automotive industry leaders at Grand Circus Park. During its first week, rides were complimentary; thereafter, passengers paid a $0.25 fare for the nine-block journey.
By 1979, annual ridership had grown to 75,000 passengers. In 1980, the line was extended eastward along Jefferson Avenue reaching the Renaissance Center at Randolph Street, close to landmarks such as Mariners' Church and the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel. The entire project incurred a cost of $2.72 million (equivalent to $ in ), with $1.5 million allocated to the original section—including a $422,000 investment in a carhouse. Funding originated from federal, state, and municipal sources.
Final years and closure
Although fares were raised to $0.50, ridership had plummeted to 3,350 by 1997, primarily due to competition from the Detroit People Mover, which began operations in 1987. Despite dwindling patronage, community support remained strong, prompting restoration initiatives starting in 1996. By February 2001, service was limited to a single car running hourly with occasional interruptions caused by deteriorating track conditions; annual operating expenses had reached $300,000 (equivalent to $ in ). In January 2003, two trolley cars were dispatched to Seattle for refurbishment followed by a third unit. Nevertheless, in late June of that year, DDOT indefinitely suspended service after deciding to reallocate a $20 million grant (equivalent to $ in ) toward reconstructing Washington Boulevard for automobile traffic ahead of the 2006 Super Bowl.
Stops
Stations were located approximately every block, with several stops serving both Cobo Center and Hart Plaza. The trolley connected with the People Mover system at Grand Circus Park station and Renaissance Center station.
In September 2001, the southern terminus was shortened to Woodward Avenue to facilitate installation of a right-turn lane for access to the Canada tunnel. By March 2002, accessibility enhancements included a ramp at Griswold Street near Hart Plaza. Car #247—sent for renovation—was planned to incorporate fold-away bench seating designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
Rolling stock
Although the initial design called for a standard gauge track, the system was ultimately constructed with a gauge to accommodate seven existing Lisbon trams. Subsequently, the fleet expanded with the addition of two more vehicles: one sourced from Vevey, Switzerland, and a double-decker tram imported from Burton upon Trent, England. The operation was staffed by DDOT personnel, usually consisting of a motorman alongside a conductor.
See also
- QLine, a contemporary modern streetcar service in Detroit
- Waterfront Streetcar, a comparable but now defunct system formerly in Seattle