Fort Worth residents and visitors will now be able to ride around downtown for free on Trinity Metro’s Molly the Trolley, thanks to subsidies from the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and Sundance Square. Downtown hotels are also helping pay for the service, including the Omni, Worthington Renaissance, Sheraton, Hilton, Embassy Suites and Blackstone Courtyard. The fare-free service begins Thursday, March 1.
“We are excited to provide Molly service at no cost to customers, and we appreciate the participation of our community partners to make that happen,” said Paul Ballard, president and CEO of Trinity Metro. “Molly has always been a popular route for getting to the many downtown attractions.”
Having a downtown trolley helps convention goers and travelers take a quick tour of downtown or hop off and visit local shops and restaurants.
“Molly the Trolley is a crucial part of the downtown visitor experience,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Public transportation is a coveted amenity that many convention planners and other visitors consider when choosing a destination. The CVB is happy to help subsidize Molly the Trolley because this service is a win for downtown and the future of tourism.”
Molly the Trolley is a familiar sight downtown with its distinctive green paint and wood panels on the sides. With stops throughout downtown, the circulator is a popular choice among residents and tourists.
“Sundance Square is pleased to once again sponsor this service and provide rides to our customers and guests,” said Johnny Campbell, president and CEO of Sundance Square “For years this has been a very popular service for hotel guests who visit to easily move around downtown Fort Worth and enjoy everything Sundance Square has to offer.“
Rick Baumeister, chairman DFWI Board of Directors, shared that sentiment.
“We look forward to the increased ridership on Molly with this change in fare structure,” Baumeister said. “We are pleased to partner with the CVB, Sundance Square, downtown hotels and Trinity Metro to bring this valued service back to Downtown.”
The cost of operating Molly the Trolley is approximately $1 million each year. The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc., Sundance Square and downtown hotels will be contributing a total of nearly $136,800 annually to help offset some of that cost.
Molly runs every 15 minutes every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.