MATA Trolley

The MATA Trolley is a heritage streetcar transit system operating in Memphis in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It has operated since April 29, 1993. The last line of Memphis’ original streetcar network closed on June 15, 1947.

Since opening the system has been extended twice and now consists of three lines; the Main Street Line, the Riverfront Loop and the Madison Avenue Line. These lines are operated by the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). In the 2011-2012 year 1.34 million trips were made on the system, a 23.1% year-on-year growth—the highest of any light rail system in the contiguous United States.

History

Originally proposed as a 4.9-mile (7.9 km) line along the Mississippi River, the Memphis City Council voted 9-4 in January 1990 to build the 2.5-mile (4 km), $33 million Main Street route. After multiple delays, construction of the line commenced in February 1991 for completion by December 1992. However, due to the longer-than-anticipated restoration of the vintage streetcars, the opening of the line was delayed until spring 1993. After further delay, testing of the first of the restored cars began on March 10, 1993, and the system opened to the public on April 29, 1993.