The Main Stream
Downtown trolley cutting its routes after January accident
Posted: Feb 10, 2010 5:46 PM
Updated: Feb 10, 2010 5:46 PM
TUCSON - Dick Guthrie's been running trolleys since they graced downtown Tucson 17 years ago.
"We have a lot of people that come to Tucson to ride our historic trolleys," Guthrie, President and Chief Operating Officer of Old Pueblo Trolleys said. "We are the only one in the country that runs regularly scheduled service, on city streets, with all volunteers."
But on January 16th, a nut came loose as one of the trolleys headed through the Fourth Avenue Underpass, the brakes failed, and with passengers on board it rolled backwards, damaging three cars. While the accident is being investigated, OPT has had to make some major adjustments.
"We will not run this car again until the city certifies that it's OK and we're in complete agreement on that," Guthrie said.
As another result of the accident, the underpass where the accident happened has been taken off of the trolley route. The Tucson Department of Transportation determined that the incline is too much of a safety concern.
Michael Kud-Kudijaroff's car was one of the cars sandwiched as the trolley rolled through the underpass.
"The trolley hit the first car which pushed it into the second car, which pushed it into me, I pushed into another car," Kud-Kudijaroff said.
But he has been on the street cars before and says he would ride again.
"Something unique so I would say I'd have no problem taking the trolley, taking the grandkids," Kud-Kudijaroff said.
According to OPT, there have been 24 accidents in 17 years. About half are the result of drivers turning in front of the trolley car. In all those accidents there have been no injuries.
OPT has over 100 volunteers. They say it takes 14 volunteers to staff a weekend. They only run Friday night Saturday and Sunday.
http://www.oldpueblotrolley.org/map.htm (schedule and route)
Since they started they have had 3 trolleys. 1 was on a 10 year lease and since returned. Right now they have 2 operable trolleys, except the 1 in the accident is not cleared to run. They are restoring 2 other trolleys.
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