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Downtown trolley pilot drew about 3,700 rides but served mostly weekend leisure trips, organizers say
Summary
A 12‑seat electric trolley pilot run May–September 2024 attracted roughly 3,700 rides, City of Santa Rosa and Downtown Action Organization staff reported, but data showed the service mostly served weekend leisure and local users rather than acting as a regular last‑mile transit connection.
Cadence, a representative of the Downtown Action Organization, told the Santa Rosa City Economic Development Committee that the pilot “Rosie” trolley, which ran May 15–Sept. 29, 2024, recorded about 3,700 rides and cost roughly $65,000 to lease and operate (marketing costs were not included).
The pilot ran on a loop between Courthouse Square and Railroad Square and was funded and sponsored by four partners, Cadence said: the City of Santa Rosa, Visit Santa Rosa (which handled marketing), SMART and Sonoma Clean Power. The trolley contractor was Bruins Trolley Company.
Organizers said the ridership profile showed the service was used primarily for weekend recreational trips rather than commuting. “When we look at the…
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