Vintage trolleys serve both a tourist and a travel purpose. Their quiet, non-polluting electric motors bring an environmentally attractive and nostalgic travel mode to downtown areas. Their lines may be used as part of the transit circulatory system, as in the Waterfront Line in Seattle, a vintage trolley that has been integrated into the Seattle bus route (and the approved, future light rail) numbering system as an important part of the transit network.
Figure 9. Tucson's Old Pueblo Trolley with Extension
Tucson leads all Arizona cities in having operational rail passenger service in and near its downtown. The Old Pueblo Trolley, a major volunteer effort, is a model vintage trolley operation. Its extension to Tucson's railroad station and downtown, already planned, will enhance its role in providing for circulation in central Tucson.
ARPA recommends that a Jackson Street vintage trolley line in lower downtown Phoenix, suggested by several parties, be seriously considered as a link between America West Arena and Bank One Ballpark on the east to Union Station, the Plaza de Maricopa project, and the Maricopa County redevelopment projects on the west. Connection to the urban light rail transit line downtown for an as-needed interface of rail cars should also be considered.