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Antique trolley clangs along University with college, community life
Story and photos by Ashley Villarreal

Near the hub of downtown, a trolley runs back and forth from inimitable Fourth Avenue to Main Gate Square, abuzz with the electricity that jumpstarts a Tucson weekend.

The Old Pueblo Trolley transit system has been in constant operation since January 1983, and is served by volunteers who make running it possible—some of whom work part time every month and others who will work two days of every weekend.

The Old Pueblo Trolley system runs throughout the weekend from the University Boulevard to Fourth Avenue. (Ashley Villarreal/UA Journalism)

“Each one of us tells a different story,” said Dick Guthrie, the president and CEO of Old Pueblo Trolley.

There are 25 people that volunteer on weekends to operate the trolley and ideally three will work at a time as conductor, operator and dispatcher. Volunteers come from a broad array of backgrounds but have all become historians for a trolley that treats passengers with fascinating information about the area.

Hannah Campbell, visiting from Miami Beach, Florida, leans against the broad window on one of the rows of seats that line either side of the 55-year old trolley shipped directly from Osaka, Japan. She describes the ride as “way cool,” while hand straps wiggle back and forth above her head with advertisements and locations inscribed in Japanese.

“Its amazing that they’re all volunteers,” Campbell said.

On a ride that goes less than 25 mph, a conductor playing tour guide might stop to point out attractions in a city that at one time was the largest in Arizona, along a route that flaunts housing dating back over 110 years—including the only art deco house still standing.

Yet, often the real attraction is in the transit system itself, which is the only known historic trolley to run on city streets. Guthrie estimates one-third of the average 600 passengers flocking to it weekly are from at least 100 miles outside Tucson.

“Every weekend we have at least one person that's from out of state,” said Rick Wheeler, a conductor for five years, mentioning that over the weekend the trolley had seen people from places like California, New York, Wisconsin and even Alberta, Canada.           

The trolley currently is scheduled to run Friday 6-10 p.m,, Saturday 12-midnight, and Sunday noon-6 p.m, but holds charters at special request, operating for special public excursions. Children receive discounted prices and all-day passes are available.

The trolley stops twice; in front of Frog & Firkin on University Boulevard and just past Eight Street on Fourth Avenue. Rides cost $1 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 25 cents on Sundays.