A few years back, CJ and I left our wedding reception and took our first ride on the historic Charlotte Trolley to our Uptown hotel. We were one of only two or three families on the Trolley, but to experience this charming part of Charlotte’s past capped off an already magical day.
Charlotte’s electric streetcars began running in 1891 and survived through much of the Depression, up until 1938. The trolleys ran again briefly from 2004 to 2006, and now stand idle while Charlotte’s light rail system is built.
Ahhh… the light rail. So full of controversy… the budget woes, the half-cent sales tax, the thinly veiled mudslinging…
I’m undecided about the light rail. I think it’s a great idea, but I also think the people who need to use it the most are exactly the people who won’t. Giving up your SUV to ride public transportation is a major lifestyle change.
When light rail service begins later this year, from what I understand, the Trolley will resume its service between South End and Uptown. New and old will literally converge on the same tracks. I hope they can peacefully co-exist.
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