Loop Trolley Testing Scheduled Next Week, Weather Permitting

Posted: January 5, 2023

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Safety inspections, operations testing, and operator training will be performed on the Loop Trolley the week of January 9, 2023, weather permitting. The work is part of the winter maintenance schedule to assess Loop Trolley assets to make sure they are in safe operating condition before trolley vehicles and equipment are put back into service this spring.

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Loop Trolley Car #3 will undergo testing and safety inspections indoors on Monday, January 9, 2023. It will operate on the 2-mile Loop Trolley route on Delmar Boulevard and DeBaliviere Avenue:

 

      Tuesday, January 10:        9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

      Wednesday, January 11:  Noon – 5 p.m.

      Thursday, January 12:      9 a.m. – Noon (only if additional testing is needed)                   

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The general public and media members are not allowed on board trolley vehicles during testing or training times.

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Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists along the trolley route are encouraged to remember these tips to stay safe when the trolley is in operation during the testing:

• Vehicles cannot be parked on the trolley rails and must be completely within the white parking lines. Illegal parking will result in fines or towing.

• Do not stand, walk, ride or drive on the white diagonal striping that follows the trolley route.

• Trolleys operate in traffic with other vehicles and share the same lanes at times, but they are not able to swerve or steer to avoid vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.

• Pedestrians should cross the street only at the marked crosswalks. Remember, the trolleys operate on rails in both directions, so always look both ways before crossing the street. 

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In 2022, Bi-State Development took over the Loop Trolley operations at the request of regional leadership in order to avoid a default on the federal funding used to start up the Loop Trolley operation several years ago. Bi-State Development successfully and safely launched a three-month pilot program in August, September and October. “Ridership during the pilot period was even higher than we anticipated. In fact, more than 8,000 adults and children hopped on the Loop Trolley in August, September and October.”

 

Bi-State Development remains committed to operating the Loop Trolley to establish a continuity of reliable service and to make sure it is a safe operation. Key maintenance projects, annual inspections and safety certifications are being conducted on the Loop Trolley vehicles this winter with operations set to resume this spring. The exact date is contingent upon approval by the Missouri State Safety Oversight Committee and other partners.