urbanSTL

An extension alone wouldn't solve its issues. I'd argue an even bigger problem than its short length is its limited hours and lack of frequency. If the Trolley came every 10 minutes on a full day/night schedule I imagine it would be more popular (but this would require more streetcars and probably a bigger barn than the one they have currently). But even modern systems with more service are struggling, DC is planning to shut down their streetcar. 

PeterXCV wrote: ↑

Jul 22, 2025

An extension alone wouldn't solve its issues. I'd argue an even bigger problem than its short length is its limited hours and lack of frequency. If the Trolley came every 10 minutes on a full day/night schedule I imagine it would be more popular (but this would require more streetcars and probably a bigger barn than the one they have currently). But even modern systems with more service are struggling, DC is planning to shut down their streetcar. 

Tend to agree. The single biggest issue with it is that it's not designed to be mass transit, Bi-State was never supportive of it, for example. I mean, transit is meant to generate more business and sales by moving more people to those businesses. Extreme heat and extreme cold are both factors that decrease business, transit should provide an air conditioned option for both of those- yet the Trolley doesn't even run.

The 2nd biggest issue is that the route is just not that helpful. The Forest Park and Delmar stations already make the area transit accessible and it's a pretty walkable area- unlike Downtown to Soulard, for example.

In my perfect world, it would be upgraded to modern trains, some form of a timetable and GPS tracking would be added, and it would be integrated with Metro. I would also probably redesign Delmar to ban parking and have a driving land and streetcar lane, but that isn't even necessary. I'd also abandon the tarnished "Loop Trolley" name and give it a color name to better integrate it with Metro.

Once it's a legitimate form of transit that can be used all year, then you can think about an extension across Forest Park. I think an extension to the Zoo would be very used.

But that would all require intelligence, money, and political will. None of which is in abundance right now.

I would use the hell out of a line going through Forest Park.  But it's use is limited if it's only going to have so many cars.