Citizens attending Third Thursday can jump aboard the new Sunshine Lamp Trolley to view the newest addition to the City’s public transportation system. The Trolley will be parked in the 600 block of Main Street to allow interested persons to take pictures of the vehicle, look over the interior of the Trolley and learn more about this service. It will be available from approximately 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The City recently retired the original 2007 Sunshine Lamp Trolley, replacing it with the newest modes of public transit of this kind. This new trolley replaces the original Sunshine Lamp Trolley which was placed into operation in July 2007. Since giving its ceremonial first ride along Main Street from the Joplin Public Library to the Newman Building, the retiring trolley traveled more than 198,000 miles and provided over 226,934 rides. It became a fixture on the “Blue Route” and served as a public ambassador for our trolley service to Joplin residents and out of town visitors driving along Range Line Road, 7th Street, MSSU, and Downtown Joplin.
The new Sunshine Lamp Trolley is a heavy duty model, an El Dorado EZ-Rider II, designed specifically for use on daily bus routes with modern transit enhancements such as a low floor, wheel chair entrance/exit ramps at both the front and rear doors, air-ride suspension system, and three wheel chair securement areas. Although it’s equipped with modern features needed for a busy transit system, the solid oak wooden benches, brass handrails with leather straps, expanded seating for thirty-six passengers, and iconic brass bell, it has all the classic charm that made the old trolley a community favorite.
Many utilize the Sunshine Lamp Trolley service for transportation throughout the year. In 2013, Joplin’s trolley service provided 104,500 rides. Annual ridership has increased 550% since its first full year of service in 2008. The Sunshine Lamp Trolley provides an average of 8,700 rides per month.
“Public transportation has increased throughout these past seven years,” said Robert Lolley, Public Transit Coordinator. “We initially started the trolley service with one route, and the hope of providing 50 rides per day. Today we operate three routes, have trolley stops at 54 locations throughout Joplin, and provide an average of 30 rides per hour.”
The new trolley was funded through a Federal Transportation Administration grant which provided 80% of the $390,115 purchase price. The remaining 20% was funded through the Joplin Transportation Sales Tax.
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