Travel Lima by trolley

LIMA — A new way of transportation is coming to downtown Lima. The Allen County Regional Transit Authority has purchased a new trolley that will have a designated route downtown. RTA co-director Brian Wildermuth weighed in on the inspiration for the new route.

“We have a great board that said, ‘Hey guys, come up with some new stuff,” said Wildermuth. “We went somewhere for an event and saw a trolley. We thought, ‘I bet we could pull this off.’ ”

The downtown trolley will be available every Saturday from 8:20 a.m. until 4:50 p.m. beginning July 1 through November.

The free transit will make stops downtown at various restaurants and event centers including the upcoming amphitheater. On August 11, the trolley will be open on Friday evenings starting at 4:20 p.m. until 9:15 p.m. Wildermuth said 2023 will be the year for trial and error. RTA hopes to begin opening earlier in the year in 2024, beginning in May.

“We are hoping to make it easier for people to get around downtown and get to different places,” said Wildermuth. “We are hoping it will also help with traffic downtown. You will be able to hop on and be able to get wherever and back to your car. That way you are not always driving around.”

Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.