Wednesday, April 24, 2024
With Granbury being a lake community and a town with history, tourism will likely heat up in the spring and summer months – and so will the iconic green trolley that transports visitors to and from downtown.
The city is working to make sure the streetcar won’t heat up too much, though.
Work is being done to repair the trolley’s air conditioner, according to the city’s public information officer, Bethany Warner. That means the tram will be out of commission for two or three weeks.
In the meantime, a city Jeep is providing rides to visitors.
The trolley, which the city has owned for years, was put back in service last December, transporting hotel and bed-and-breakfast guests to and from the square and other locations such as the Lake Granbury Conference Center.
It had not been operating on a regular schedule, but drivers were enlisted to transport passengers from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
“It began with a test in December, and is now averaging 300-412 riders per month,” Warner stated in an email to the HCN. “The expectation is that ridership will increase as awareness that the trolley is back in operation increases.”
She added that the trolley is also used for conferences, association meetings and other special events.
Tammy Dooley, director of the Visit Granbury Convention and Visitors Bureau, earlier this month made the trolley available to members and guests of Granbury Church of Christ, which hosted an internationally known speaker for a weekend event.
Dooley arranged for the trolley to transport passengers from the church, which is located on West Pearl Street across from Granbury High School, to the square and back again during the lunch break.
Rides on the trolley are free and not just for tourists. Anyone can ride.
Dooley said the city has been doing “a great job” of maintaining the popular attraction.
Director of Public Works Rick Crownover and Fleet Maintenance Superintendent Richard Durant keep the trolley in good operating condition, she noted, and drivers James Calaway and Sue Morgan “take great pride” in transporting folks around town.
Dooley said that plans are in the works for a new trolley map to be made available online, at all pick-up locations and at the Visitors Center at 201 E. Pearl St.at Granbury Square Plaza. The front door of the Visitors Center faces East Pearl Street. The map will include scheduled stops and route information along with “fun facts” about the trolley, she said, and new signage showing “official trolley stops” is also planned.
