“Everybody Loves Molly!”
Fort Worth partners to continue free downtown trolley rides through Nov. 28
High ridership from visitors, locals and favorable surveys prompt extension of summer pilot service

FORT WORTH (August 11, 2009) – The T announced today that it will continue to operate Molly the Trolley’s free downtown route through November 28, seven days a week from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. following a decision by the pilot project’s partners.

The decision by the Molly the Trolley founding partners – The T, the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. – was based upon ridership of more than 10,000 a month and the fact that more than 95 percent of riders consistently rated the service excellent or good for meeting their transportation needs. Molly the Trolley has been extremely popular with downtown employees, residents and local visitors, as well as tourists.

The CVB will support the extended test pilot through an additional $10,000 contribution to The T, owner and operator of the trolleys, to assist in covering the additional three months of free service.

The pilot period was originally planned for May 27 through August 22.

“The test period for the free downtown Molly service was designed to cover the peak summer convention and tourism period when out-of-towners who stay at our hotels desire convenient, quick, no cost transportation in order to take advantage of all that downtown Fort Worth has to offer,” said David DuBois, CMP, CAE, CTA, president and CEO of the Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau.

The “Downtown Get-Around” route makes a continuous loop every 15 minutes around the south and north ends of downtown, linking the Fort Worth Convention Center and hotels on the south end of downtown to the hotels and office workers in the center and Sundance Square at the north end of downtown.

“In addition to tourism, it was very gratifying to learn that people who live and/or work in downtown Fort Worth used and appreciated the Molly service for meeting their business, shopping and entertainment needs,” said Bob Jameson, chairman of the board of directors of Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. He is also general manager of the Renaissance Worthington Hotel, a member and past chair of The T’s board, and a current member the CVB board of directors.

The free downtown circulating route also provides easy connections to the cultural arts district, the Stockyards and other major destinations in Fort Worth, according to The T.

“The downtown Molly route is just a couple of blocks from The T’s downtown Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) that provides frequent bus connections to the Will Rogers complex, the art museums, the Stockyards, TCU, shopping centers and other points of interest,” said T president Dick Ruddell.

From the ITC and from the TRE T&P station (just across Lancaster Ave. from Molly’s southernmost stop), people also may catch the Trinity Railway Express into Dallas.

The partners believe that the Molly service has benefited downtown merchants.

“According to surveys, nearly 60 percent of Molly the Trolley riders made stops in the 35-block Sundance Square area,” said Johnny Campbell, president and CEO of Sundance Square. “And this was not just visitors, but also the 45,000 office workers and residents of downtown Fort Worth who gain easier access to entertainment, shops and restaurants with the Molly service,” he said.

The Molly the Trolley founding partners plan to ask all downtown hotels, restaurants, offices, shops, performance entities and residences to continue to increase their efforts to promote the service as a local, not just a tourist amenity.

Molly the Trolley route and schedule information is at www.mollythetrolley.com

Molly the Trolley Funding Partners
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. (DFWI) – www.dfwi.org
Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau (FWCVB )- www.fortworth.com
Sundance Square – www.sundancesquare.com
The T – www.the-t.com
Omni Fort Worth Hotel – www.omnihotels.com
The Ashton – www.theashtonhotel.com
Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa – www.starwoodhotels.com