Loop Trolley

File:Loop Trolley construction on Delmar Blvd at Melville Ave in Nov 2015 - St Louis.jpg]]

File:Loop Trolley's westbound City Limit stop, Dec. 2018.jpg]]

{{See|Streetcars in St. Louis}}

The Delmar Loop was named for the streetcar turnaround that occupied two oblong blocks on the north side of Delmar east from Kingsland Avenue. This loop was used by two lines of the St. Louis Public Service Company—the Olive-Delmar and Creve Coeur lines—and a private line west to what is now University City's City Hall. Streetcar service ended in St. Louis in 1966, but the Loop retained its name.

Around 1997,{{Cite news |date=January 2, 2017 |title=Loop trolley construction complete, but months of testing is ahead |publisher=KMOV |url=https://www.kmov.com/news/loop-trolley-construction-complete-but-months-of-testing-is-ahead/article_6265ad22-ec39-5640-9d32-5d9c6c1027ba.html |access-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-date=October 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005030745/https://www.kmov.com/news/loop-trolley-construction-complete-but-months-of-testing-is-ahead/article_6265ad22-ec39-5640-9d32-5d9c6c1027ba.html |url-status=live }} the idea of bringing back streetcars found a champion in Joe Edwards, the owner of Blueberry Hill, The Pageant, and other Loop businesses. Edwards eventually secured the purchase of two Peter Witt-type streetcars that once operated in Milan, Italy. The two Peter Witt cars were cosmetically refurbished by the Gomaco Trolley Company in 2005 and placed on long-term display along the route—one on Delmar by Commerce Bank, and the other at the Missouri History Museum—to publicize the proposed Loop Trolley line.{{Cite news |date=October 2005 |title=Systems News [regular news section] |page=412 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Ian Allan Publishing/Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK |issn=1460-8324}} Originally, the two were slated to carry passengers if the project came to fruition, but plans to restore them to operating condition were deemed too expensive in 2015, in part because they had deteriorated during their years on outdoor display.{{Cite news |date=November 2015 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |pages=450–451 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK}}

In July 2010, the Federal Transit Administration's Urban Circulator Grant Program approved a grant of $25 million for the project.{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2010 |title=U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $293 Million for New Transit Solutions, Economic Development Nationwide |url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11823.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803025335/http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11820.html |archive-date=August 3, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2013 |publisher=Federal Transit Administration}}{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2010 |title=Urban Circulator/Bus and Bus Livability Project Descriptions |url=http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11820.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110803025335/http://www.fta.dot.gov/news/news_events_11820.html |archive-date=August 3, 2011 |access-date=July 20, 2010 |publisher=Federal Transit Administration}} Ultimately, the FTA provided about $34 million to the project.{{Cite web |last=Petrin |first=Kae M. |date=January 24, 2020 |title=Bi-State Development Will Not Revive Loop Trolley, Transit Agency CEO Says |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2020-01-24/bi-state-development-will-not-revive-loop-trolley-transit-agency-ceo-says |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216063753/https://news.stlpublicradio.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2020-01-24/bi-state-development-will-not-revive-loop-trolley-transit-agency-ceo-says |archive-date=February 16, 2022 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |publisher=St. Louis Public Radio (KWMU) |language=en}} Other funding came from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program and Surface Transportation Program, a Tax increment financing, a New Markets Tax Credit, the St. Louis County Transportation Fund, Great Rivers Greenway, Washington University, Loop Trolley Transportation Development District sales taxes, and donations.{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=Loop Trolley FAQ |url=http://www.looptrolley.com/faq/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215103644/http://www.looptrolley.com:80/faq/ |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |website=looptrolley.org |publisher=Loop Trolley Transportation Development District}}

Construction began in March 2015 with a budget of $51 million and anticipated annual ridership of 394,000 passengers.{{Cite news |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=July 3, 2019 |title=Loop Trolley ridership and fare revenue lag — it's raised just $22,283 in fares since Nov. 16 |language=en |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/loop-trolley-ridership-and-fare-revenue-lag-it-s-raised/article_c75e642c-c17e-5782-9bfc-9918657417e5.html |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703033209/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/loop-trolley-ridership-and-fare-revenue-lag-it-s-raised/article_c75e642c-c17e-5782-9bfc-9918657417e5.html |archive-date=July 3, 2019}} The trackwork was half done by November 2015{{Cite web |date=March 12, 2016 |title=Major track work completed in Delmar Loop prior to holiday shopping season |url=http://www.looptrolley.com:80/loop-trolley-completes-major-track-work-in-delmar-loop-prior-to-holiday-shopping-season/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312035254/http://www.looptrolley.com:80/loop-trolley-completes-major-track-work-in-delmar-loop-prior-to-holiday-shopping-season/ |archive-date=March 12, 2016 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |publisher=Loop Trolley}} and was completed in November 2016.{{Cite news |last=Westerman |first=Hannah |date=November 25, 2016 |title=U City Loop trolley construction completed and testing to start in December |publisher=KWMU |url=http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/u-city-loop-trolley-construction-completed-and-testing-start-december |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201233304/http://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/u-city-loop-trolley-construction-completed-and-testing-start-december |archive-date=December 1, 2018}} During construction, some shops and restaurants saw decreased foot traffic and sales. Some businesses moved; others closed permanently. One business owner called the Loop Trolley "a solution in need of a problem".{{Cite web |last=Strickland |first=Raymond |date=December 15, 2017 |title=Business owners remain skeptical of Loop Trolley, amid big donation |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-owners-remain-skeptical-of-loop-trolley-amid-big-donation/63-499806407 |access-date=July 13, 2019 |publisher=KSDK |archive-date=May 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520012146/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/business-owners-remain-skeptical-of-loop-trolley-amid-big-donation/63-499806407 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=Jacob |date=August 10, 2018 |title=Delmar Loop novelty retailer Phoenix Rising to close |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/delmar-loop-novelty-retailer-phoenix-rising-to-close/article_93c8eb06-79cb-53f7-b5bf-7fb8273d7424.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 13, 2019 |language=en |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713134814/https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/delmar-loop-novelty-retailer-phoenix-rising-to-close/article_93c8eb06-79cb-53f7-b5bf-7fb8273d7424.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Melody |date=November 1, 2018 |title=Delmar Loop Trolley takes toll on businesses after years of delays |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/delmar-loop-trolley-takes-toll-businesses-after-years-delays |access-date=July 13, 2019 |publisher=KWMU |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713134823/https://news.stlpublicradio.org/post/delmar-loop-trolley-takes-toll-businesses-after-years-delays |url-status=live }}

In 2017, trolley officials projected that the first year of operation would see farebox revenue of $394,433 with all-day, seven-day service.

The first of three streetcars being refurbished and modified for the line was delivered on February 16, 2017,{{Cite news |date=April 2017 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |page=152 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK |issn=1460-8324}} and the second on March 30, 2017.{{Cite news |last=Regnier |first=Chris |date=March 30, 2017 |title=Second Loop Trolley car arrives in St. Louis |publisher=KTVI |url=http://fox2now.com/2017/03/30/second-loop-trolley-car-arrives-in-st-louis-thursday/ |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014722/https://fox2now.com/2017/03/30/second-loop-trolley-car-arrives-in-st-louis-thursday/ |url-status=live }} On March 26, 2017, car No. 001 was towed along the line to check the tracks and clearances at station platforms, becoming the first streetcar to be moved along the Loop Trolley line, though not under its own power.{{Cite news |last=Hoskins |first=Kelley |date=March 26, 2017 |title=Trolley cars make debut for testing in Delmar Loop |publisher=KTVI |url=http://fox2now.com/2017/03/26/trolley-cars-make-debut-for-testing-in-delmar-loop/ |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217014900/https://fox2now.com/2017/03/26/trolley-cars-make-debut-for-testing-in-delmar-loop/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Thorsen |first=Leah |date=March 24, 2017 |title=Loop Trolley testing to start early Sunday |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-testing-to-start-early-sunday/article_aa05eeb2-f5a0-5c92-938d-9a100c6aa585.html |access-date=March 29, 2017 |archive-date=March 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170326200246/http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-testing-to-start-early-sunday/article_aa05eeb2-f5a0-5c92-938d-9a100c6aa585.html |url-status=live }}

In 2018, Loop Trolley officials said the first year's operating budget would be $1.3 million, of which $850,000 would come through the sales tax.

The line's opening was delayed several times as completion of a third trolley car fell behind schedule. Eventually, Loop Trolley officials decided to operate a temporarily reduced schedule with two trolleys until the third was delivered.

In November 2018, the Loop Trolley Company announced that the line would open on November 15, 2018,{{Cite news |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=November 12, 2018 |title=Loop Trolley to begin rolling Thursday morning |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-to-begin-rolling-thursday-morning/article_44ea6976-e6a8-5564-b8dd-e72a87ed9f83.html |access-date=November 12, 2018 |archive-date=November 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113011810/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-to-begin-rolling-thursday-morning/article_44ea6976-e6a8-5564-b8dd-e72a87ed9f83.html |url-status=live }} but snow delayed the opening one more day.{{Cite web |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Snow-go: Loop Trolley opening pushed back. Again |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/snow-go-loop-trolley-opening-pushed-back-again/article_d07167eb-1ec5-5f91-8c2f-fb0a04a17b33.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122171035/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/snow-go-loop-trolley-opening-pushed-back-again/article_d07167eb-1ec5-5f91-8c2f-fb0a04a17b33.html |archive-date=November 22, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |language=en |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}

Service began on November 16, 2018.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2018 |title=Loop Trolley opens to public, is unable to operate in Delmar Loop |url=https://www.kmov.com/news/loop-trolley-opens-to-public-is-unable-to-operate-in/article_59332e0e-e9ea-11e8-92fb-f7ae889d3b43.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119034328/https://www.kmov.com/news/loop-trolley-opens-to-public-is-unable-to-operate-in/article_59332e0e-e9ea-11e8-92fb-f7ae889d3b43.html |archive-date=November 19, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |publisher=KMOV}} The two replica-historic streetcars initially ran four days a week: Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $2 for a two-hour fare and $5 for an all-day fare. Cheaper tickets were available for passengers aged 5-12 or 65 or older, and for those with disabilities.{{Cite web |date=November 25, 2018 |title=The Loop Trolley - Map & Schedule |url=http://www.looptrolley.com/map-schedule/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125115433/http://www.looptrolley.com/map-schedule/ |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |access-date=December 1, 2021}} Service was expected to expand to more hours, and seven days a week after a third trolley arrived.{{Cite news |last=Blume |first=Brett |date=November 15, 2018 |title=Loop Trolley Dedicated; Still Hasn't Made 1st Public Run |publisher=KMOX |url=https://kmox.radio.com/articles/loop-trolley-dedicated-still-hasnt-made-1st-public-run |url-status=dead |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111070349/https://kmox.radio.com/articles/loop-trolley-dedicated-still-hasnt-made-1st-public-run |archive-date=January 11, 2019}}

A failure to obtain an operating permit from University City limited service during its first week to the portion between the Missouri History Museum terminus and the Delmar Loop MetroLink station.{{Cite news |last=Hunn |first=David |date=November 20, 2018 |title=Loop Trolley leaders scramble to get route fully opened |language=en |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/loop-trolley-leaders-scramble-to-get-route-fully-opened/article_177b09eb-2135-5384-8257-04e4dad524b7.html |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124022506/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/loop-trolley-leaders-scramble-to-get-route-fully-opened/article_177b09eb-2135-5384-8257-04e4dad524b7.html |url-status=live }} Before granting approval, city officials insisted that the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District install temporary protective barriers around an electric line tower and submit a $300,000 bond that would pay to dismantle the tracks if the trolley endeavor failed. LTTDD officials complied, and received their operating permit on November 21.{{Cite web |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=November 22, 2018 |title=The Loop Trolley will actually get to go to the Loop starting Friday |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/the-loop-trolley-will-actually-get-to-go-to-the-loop-starting-friday/article_20b7ca6f-2787-5612-9d4c-4f6c3bc798fb.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202045628/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/the-loop-trolley-will-actually-get-to-go-to-the-loop-starting-friday/article_20b7ca6f-2787-5612-9d4c-4f6c3bc798fb.html |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2021 |website=STLtoday.com (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |language=en}}

Trolleys began running along the entire line on November 23.{{Cite news |last=Nicholson |first=Marvin |date=November 23, 2018 |title=The Loop Trolley starts running in Delmar Loop Friday at noon |language=en |publisher=KMOV |url=https://www.kmov.com/news/the-loop-trolley-starts-running-in-delmar-loop-friday-at/article_c3e611ac-ef2c-11e8-b657-77aaef4a1284.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124162309/https://www.kmov.com/news/the-loop-trolley-starts-running-in-delmar-loop-friday-at/article_c3e611ac-ef2c-11e8-b657-77aaef4a1284.html |archive-date=November 24, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Suntrup |first=Jack |date=November 24, 2018 |title=Loop Trolley finally hisses and honks its way into the Loop |pages=A1, A6 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-finally-hisses-and-honks-its-way-into-the/article_ca9cb3ad-2ef6-5f39-9491-3b0cbe9766ad.html |url-status=dead |access-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126082358/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-finally-hisses-and-honks-its-way-into-the/article_ca9cb3ad-2ef6-5f39-9491-3b0cbe9766ad.html |archive-date=November 26, 2018 |orig-year=online date November 23}} "The only trouble in evidence about 3 p.m. had nothing to do with the trolleys’ antique technology and everything to do with automated ticket machines that passengers struggled to learn," wrote the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

In July 2019, officials announced that the Trolley had taken in just $22,283 in fare revenue in its first six months of operation, roughly one-tenth of their 2015 projection. They noted that the 2015 estimate had been based on seven-day operations with three trolleys.

On October 17, 2019, a "winter schedule" curtailed operating hours so that trolleys stopped running at 6 p.m.{{Cite web |date=December 16, 2019 |title=The Loop Trolley - Map & Schedule |url=http://www.looptrolley.com/map-schedule/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216020200/http://www.looptrolley.com/map-schedule/ |archive-date=December 16, 2019 |access-date=December 1, 2021}}

On December 5, 2019, the operators of the Loop Trolley announced that the line would shut down on December 29 due to a lack of operating funds and low revenue. The sales tax raised about $860,000 in 2019, in line with expectations. But ridership was far lower than projected: the trolley sold 15,776 tickets in its first 11 months, far fewer than the amount needed to prevent a budget shortfall. Officials blamed the lack of ridership on the four-day schedule and the limited service caused by the lack of the third trolley.{{Cite news |last=Kirn |first=Jacob |date=October 10, 2019 |title=The Loop Trolley is still attracting small crowds, running shortened schedule |work=St. Louis Business Journal |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/10/10/the-loop-trolley-is-still-attracting-small-crowds.html |access-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-date=August 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806012706/https://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2019/10/10/the-loop-trolley-is-still-attracting-small-crowds.html |url-status=live }} No. 003 (ex-Seattle, ex-Melbourne), had still not been cleared to enter service when the line shut down.{{Cite news |date=February 2020 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |page=74 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK}}

The trolley ceased operations on December 29, 2019.{{Cite web |last=Olmos |first=Dori |date=December 29, 2019 |title=It's the Loop Trolley's last day |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/loop-trolley-closing-final-day/63-195b5f80-e1d4-4081-931d-4e029a009c40 |access-date=December 31, 2019 |publisher=KSDK |archive-date=February 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227000737/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/loop-trolley-closing-final-day/63-195b5f80-e1d4-4081-931d-4e029a009c40 |url-status=live }} The Bi-State Development Agency, a regional transit operator, immediately began seeking ways to restart operations. Agency officials proposed to take over operations for four years with the aim of making the Loop Trolley self-sustaining by 2024. But on January 24, 2020, a Bi-State committee voted to reject the proposal; opponents said they doubted it would work.

At the committee meeting, Mokhtee Ahmad, the Federal Transit Administration's regional administrator, said that if no one restarted the Loop Trolley, his agency might sue to recover about $25 million that it had provided for construction. The money would be owed by the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District and East-West Gateway Council of Governments, a regional planning organization. Ahmad also "implied that any litigation to recover federal money could hurt St. Louis’ applications for future federal grants," St. Louis Public Radio wrote.

Three months after service ceased, the Loop Trolley's website had not been updated to reflect the system's suspended status.{{Cite web |date=March 13, 2020 |title=Home {{!}} Loop Trolley v3 |url=https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200313200001/https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-date=March 13, 2020 |access-date=December 1, 2021}} Joe Edwards, a Loop developer and chairman of the trolley taxing district, suggested in a newspaper interview and a letter to Ahmad that the arrival of the third trolley car combined with the revenue from the sales tax could enable the trolley to restart service in April.{{Cite news |last=Kohler |first=Jeremy |date=March 11, 2020 |title=Loop Trolley could be back on track in April, promoter Joe Edwards says |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-could-be-back-on-track-in-april-promoter/article_d40a0662-2004-5b5e-b85a-16d16b977488.html |url-status=dead |access-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311162542/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/loop-trolley-could-be-back-on-track-in-april-promoter/article_d40a0662-2004-5b5e-b85a-16d16b977488.html |archive-date=March 11, 2020}}

In August 2020, the website was changed to say: "To support regional efforts to eliminate COVID-19 during the ongoing pandemic, the Loop Trolley is currently out of service."{{Cite web |date=May 9, 2021 |title=Home {{!}} Loop Trolley |url=https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509143007/https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2021}} (The site continued to ascribe the suspension to the pandemic through July 24, 2022.{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2022 |title=HOME {{!}} STL Loop Trolley |url=https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724144908/https://www.looptrolley.com/ |archive-date=July 24, 2022 |access-date=September 13, 2022}})

On October 27, 2021, the East-West Gateway Council of Governments rejected a plan to use $1.26 million in federal money plus $540,000 from a sales tax along the route to restart Loop Trolley service.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2021 |title=Loop Trolley remains dead in its tracks after a regional planning agency rejects funding plan |url=https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2021-10-27/with-funding-rejected-the-loop-trolley-remains-in-limbo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218195326/https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-issues/2021-10-27/with-funding-rejected-the-loop-trolley-remains-in-limbo |archive-date=February 18, 2022 |access-date=December 1, 2021 |publisher=St. Louis Public Radio |language=en}}

On February 25, 2022, the Bi-State Development Board voted to take over and restart operation of the Loop Trolley through June 2025. Board members said restarting trolley operations was preferable to repaying millions of dollars in federal grants spent to build it.

St. Louis Mayor Tishuara Jones, who had opposed the trolley restart but also preferred it to repaying the money, informed Ahmad of the decision in a February 25 letter. She acknowledged federal officials' request that service be restarted in June 2022, but said operation might be delayed to ensure safety. Jones wrote that “the determining factor for a prudent opening date” would be up to the Missouri Department of Transportation.{{Cite web |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=February 25, 2022 |title=St. Louis mayor says plans call for Loop Trolley to restart in summer |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/st-louis-mayor-says-plans-call-for-loop-trolley-to-restart-in-summer/article_bb40e896-28bc-5143-835d-043698f1b680.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226145200/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/st-louis-mayor-says-plans-call-for-loop-trolley-to-restart-in-summer/article_bb40e896-28bc-5143-835d-043698f1b680.html |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |website=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |language=en}}

As of February 2022, the trolley operating fund included $881,321 collected via the local sales tax. Jones said the district estimates it will collect $773,787 in sales tax in 2022. The trolley authority also resubmitted a request to the East-West Gateway Council of Government for a $1.26 million grant, but no decision was expected until August.

Service resumed on August 4, 2022, operating Thursdays through Sundays and until only October 30, instead of year-round as it had in the past. More than 8,000 rides were given during the nearly three-month operating season, according to Bi-State Development President and CEO Taulby Roach.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Elliott |date=November 26, 2023 |title=Bi-State may run Loop Trolley one year longer than planned |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/bi-state-may-run-loop-trolley-one-year-longer-than-planned/ar-AA1kzSub |access-date=2023-12-03 |publisher=KTVI |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204145023/https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/bi-state-may-run-loop-trolley-one-year-longer-than-planned/ar-AA1kzSub |url-status=live }}

In 2023, service ran from April 27{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Patrick |date=April 27, 2023 |title=Beep! Beep! St. Louis Loop Trolley is back in operation |publisher=KTVI |url=https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/beep-beep-st-louis-loop-trolley-is-back-in-operation/ |access-date=May 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509025303/https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/beep-beep-st-louis-loop-trolley-is-back-in-operation/ |archive-date=May 9, 2023 |url-status=live}} through October 29.{{Cite web |last=Schlinkmann |first=Mark |date=2023-10-27 |title=Loop Trolley to shut down Sunday night until next spring |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/loop-trolley-to-shut-down-sunday-night-until-next-spring/article_44ed519e-750a-11ee-9eb9-07fdc260bf7a.html |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en |archive-date=December 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204145157/https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/government-politics/loop-trolley-to-shut-down-sunday-night-until-next-spring/article_44ed519e-750a-11ee-9eb9-07fdc260bf7a.html |url-status=live }} The six-month operating season saw more than 8,500 rides: an absolute increase over 2022 but a decline in average monthly ridership, from about 2,500 to fewer than 1,400. In November 2023, Roach said Bi-State was considering operating the trolley until 2026, one more year than the planned five.

The 2024 season ran from April 25 to October 27, with service Thursdays through Sundays.{{Cite web |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Loop Trolley season begins next week |url=https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/04/19/loop-trolley-season-begins-next-week/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |publisher=KMOV |archive-date=April 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419230734/https://www.firstalert4.com/2024/04/19/loop-trolley-season-begins-next-week/ |url-status=live }} It gave an estimated 12,350 rides, about 44 percent more than the previous season. It also operated within its budget, Roach said in November 2024. He said Bi-State would work with the FTA and the Loop Trolley Transportation Development District "on an extension of this management contract so that we can continue to fulfill the obligation to the FTA and operate within reasonable expectations”.{{Cite web |last=Zotos |first=Alexis |date=November 2024 |title=Loop Trolley ends season operating within budget and with 44 percent increase in ridership |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/loop-trolley-ends-season-operating-within-budget-and-with-44-percent-increase-in-ridership/ar-AA1tUhOY |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=KMOV St. Louis}}{{clear left}}

Loop Trolley service was provided by two faux-vintage streetcars acquired used from Portland, Oregon. A third vintage streetcar from Seattle{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2016 |title=Seattle trolleys arrive in St. Louis for Loop Trolley |url=http://www.looptrolley.com/seattle-trolleys-arrive-in-st-louis-for-loop-trolley/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818115026/http://www.looptrolley.com/seattle-trolleys-arrive-in-st-louis-for-loop-trolley/ |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |publisher=Loop Trolley Transportation Development District}} was expected to join the fleet in 2019.{{Cite news |last=Verner |first=Brittney |date=November 23, 2018 |title=The Loop Trolley finally starts operating full route |publisher=KSDK |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/the-loop-trolley-finally-starts-operating-full-route/63-617245320 |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923044400/https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/the-loop-trolley-finally-starts-operating-full-route/63-617245320 |url-status=live }}

File:Loop Trolley car interior - University City, Missouri (2018).jpg

In December 2013, the Loop Trolley district acquired from Portland transit agency TriMet two Gomaco-built Brill-replica streetcars which were then in operation on the Portland Vintage Trolley service,{{Cite news |last=Bowen |first=Douglas John |date=December 13, 2013 |title=TriMet sells heritage trolleys to St. Louis |work=Railway Age |url=https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-sells-heritage-trolleys-to-st-louis/ |url-status=live |access-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216125034/https://www.railwayage.com/passenger/light-rail/trimet-sells-heritage-trolleys-to-st-louis/ |archive-date=December 16, 2018}} which use continued until mid-2014.{{Cite web |date=September 2014 |title=Vintage Trolley Has Ceased Operation |url=http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html |access-date=December 16, 2018 |publisher=Portland Vintage Trolley website |archive-date=February 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201170503/http://myplace.frontier.com/~trolley503/VTSchedule.html |url-status=live }} Those two cars were designed to look like 1903 streetcars but were actually built in 1991 (car 511) and 1992 (car 512), and feature steel frames under their wooden bodies and more-modern propulsion equipment (including rebuilt 1940s trucks). For St. Louis, they were modified for wheelchair accessibility, to meet ADA regulations, with the installation of wheelchair lifts (one per side).{{Cite news |date=May 2016 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |page=193 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK}} Gomaco was hired to carry out those and other modifications, and the work began at Gomaco's Ida Grove, Iowa, plant in August 2015.

In January 2016, it was announced that the Loop Trolley district had purchased three ex-Melbourne, Australia, W2-type streetcars from Seattle, which had operated on Seattle's Waterfront Streetcar line until it shut down in 2005.{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Josh |date=January 14, 2016 |title=Seattle's old waterfront streetcars will live on - in different ways |url=http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2016/01/14/seattles-old-waterfront-streetcars-live---different-ways/78825108/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125062226/http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2016/01/14/seattles-old-waterfront-streetcars-live---different-ways/78825108/ |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016 |publisher=KING-TV}} Only one of the three was planned for immediate refurbishment, modification and use due to funding limitations. The necessary modifications included restoring doors on one side of the car, restoring steps to the doors (Seattle's line used high-platform stations which didn't necessitate steps), installing two wheelchair lifts, one on each side, and replacement of the car's trolley poles with a pantograph. The three cars were moved from Seattle in early June 2016. Cars 482 and 518 were taken to St. Louis and put in indefinite storage for potential future restoration and use. Car 512 was taken to Gomaco in Iowa, which had been awarded a $676,750 contract to restore and modify the car.{{Cite news |date=August 2016 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |page=312 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK}}

The operational fleet was to comprise three cars in 2019:{{Cite news |last=Madden |first=Roche |date=November 16, 2018 |title=Long awaited Loop Trolley finally on the move |publisher=KPLR-TV |url=https://kplr11.com/2018/11/16/long-awaited-loop-trolley-finally-on-the-move/ |access-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-date=November 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117052320/https://kplr11.com/2018/11/16/long-awaited-loop-trolley-finally-on-the-move/ |url-status=live }} two ex-Portland Brill replica cars (Portland Nos. 511–512) and one ex-Seattle, ex-Melbourne car (Seattle No. 512). Ex-Portland cars 511–512 were renumbered 002 and 001, respectively, and ex-Seattle, ex-Melbourne car 512 was renumbered 003.{{Cite news |date=September 2017 |title=Worldwide Review [regular news section] |page=353 |work=Tramways & Urban Transit |publisher=Light Rail Transit Association |location=UK}} Car 001 is painted red and cream, Car 002 blue and cream, and Car 003 orange and cream.

At the time of the line's opening, Car 003 was still at Gomaco's Iowa plant, with its renovation and modification more than a year behind schedule, partly due to delays in getting parts from Germany. Car 003 was delivered to the Loop Trolley's maintenance facility on January 29, 2019.{{Cite news |last=Baumer |first=Stephanie |date=January 29, 2019 |title=3rd Delmar Loop Trolley car delivered Tuesday |publisher=KMOV |url=https://www.kmov.com/news/rd-delmar-loop-trolley-car-delivered-tuesday/article_a3500de2-23bd-11e9-815f-53c75abaa3ef.html |url-status=dead |access-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130111712/https://www.kmov.com/news/rd-delmar-loop-trolley-car-delivered-tuesday/article_a3500de2-23bd-11e9-815f-53c75abaa3ef.html |archive-date=January 30, 2019}} In 2024, Car 003 was returned to Gomaco along with Car 482 and Car 518.{{cite web |title=Living St. Louis {{!}} January 20, 2025 |url=https://www.ninepbs.org/blogs/living-st-louis/january-20-2025/ |website=Nine PBS |access-date=24 January 2025 |language=en}}

The Loop Trolley's administrative headquarters and maintenance facility are located at 5875 Delmar Boulevard, in a building that had been Delmar High School until 1980.

• Streetcars in North America
• St. Charles City Streetcar
• St. Louis Metrolink

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{{Commons category|Loop Trolley (St. Louis)}}

• {{official|www.looptrolley.com}}

{{Bi-State Transit}}

{{St. Louis MetroLink}}

{{Missouri public transit}}

{{Heritage Streetcars}}

{{USLightRail}}

Category:Metro Transit (St. Louis)

Category:Streetcars in Greater St. Louis

Category:Rail in St. Louis

Category:Heritage streetcar systems

Category:Railway lines opened in 2018

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