Riverfront Loop
| Company type | Streetcar route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee , United States |
Area served | Downtown Memphis, Tennessee |
| Products | Streetcar transit service |
Riverfront Loop
The Riverfront Loop operates as a segment of the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA Trolley) network, introduced in 1997 as the system's second route. Extending through downtown Memphis along the Mississippi River waterfront, it encompasses 18 stops, making it the lengthiest line in the system. Roughly half of its path coincides with the Main Street Line. Passengers enjoy prominent views of the Mississippi River from the elevated Chickasaw Bluffs along this route.
Since June 2014, trolley service has been halted following two separate trolley car fires occurring within a six-month span. In response, buses have temporarily replaced trolleys on this corridor. MATA has plans to reinstate trolley operations, initially aiming for a late 2022 relaunch. Nevertheless, as of December 2022, a definitive reopening schedule remains unannounced.
Route description
The line functions as a counterclockwise circuit without designated endpoints, commencing at Amtrak's Central Station located in the South Main Arts District. It proceeds northward along the eastern track shared with the Main Street Line for , then branches westward just beyond A.W. Willis Avenue. After crossing Front Street, it turns south onto the western Illinois Central (IC) track heading toward the Pyramid Arena. The route continues beneath the Interstate 40 overpass before arriving at the Cook Convention Center adjacent to the riverfront. Following the IC tracks alongside Tennessee Street and the riverfront, it shifts east onto GE Patterson Avenue and completes the loop by passing under IC tracks near Central Station before returning to South Main Street.
List of trolley stops
travelling counterclockwise between North End Terminal and Central Station
Note: Riverfront Loop trolley service is currently suspended indefinitely; buses serve this route instead.
| Stop | Other trolley line(s) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| North End | North End Terminal transit hub | |
| Pyramid | Location of Memphis Pyramid and Bass Pro Shops megastore | |
| Jefferson Street | Access to Mud Island River Park and Amphitheater (connected via monorail), Mississippi River Park | |
| Union Avenue | Nearby Cobblestone Landing, Cossitt Library, and University of Memphis Law School | |
| Beale Street Landing | Proximity to Beale Street, Beale Street Landing, Cotton Exchange Museum | |
| Tom Lee Park | Adjacent to Tennessee Brewery and Tom Lee Park | |
| Central Station | Connection point with Amtrak Transit Center | |
| Butler | Situated in South Main Arts District near Blues Hall of Fame | |
| Huling | Located in South Main Arts District near National Civil Rights Museum | |
| Dr. ML King Jr. | Previously known as "Linden" after cross street Close to FedExForum and Halloran Center | |
| Beale Street | Access to Beale Street, Elvis Presley Plaza, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, and Orpheum Theatre | |
| Peabody Place | Near Peabody Place, Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art | |
| Union | Close to 88 Union Tower, AutoZone Park, and One Commerce Square | |
| Madison | Serves Brinkley Place and Toyota Center | |
| Court | North Court (northbound), South Court (southbound) Nearby Court Square, Falls Building, Fire Museum of Memphis, Raymond James Tower | |
| Civic Center Plaza | Adjacent to City Hall and Shelby County Courthouse | |
| Convention Center | Serves Cannon Center and Memphis-Cook Convention Center | |
| Overton | Located in Pinch District | |
| North End | North End Terminal transit hub |