For driver Lynn Kelly, operating a trolley feels different than a coach bus. He’d never driven a trolley before this year, but can now be found playing rap and classic rock during his route throughout campus.

“They’re very easy to drive, they handle well in the snow,” Kelly said.

Syracuse University unveiled its trolley system at the beginning of the spring semester. The program is designed to run routes previously covered by Birnie Bus vehicles, including campus shuttles and express buses. The trolleys are accessible, with air-suspension for kneeling and expandable ramps.

“We were challenged in the relationship with Birnie Bus, so this helps us keep the funds within the university,” said Joseph Carfi, director of SU’s Parking and Transit Services. “Over a period of time, the program is going to pay for itself and it’s going to provide savings as far as the relationship we were in with Birnie.”

Lynn Kelly is one of several ‘Cuse Trolley drivers on campus. Haley Robertson | Editor-in-Chief

Having a campus transportation service operated by the university instead of an outside company allows for riders to give feedback directly, Carfi said. Community members will be able to share their thoughts in several ways, including through online surveys and meetings with campus leaders. Carfi plans on riding the trolley to gather feedback himself.

Parking and Transit Services will use this feedback to make improvements and alter routes as needed. SU runs and administers the program, giving the university more control over necessary changes, Carfi said.

Many of the trolley drivers previously worked with Birnie Bus and were familiar with SU’s campus and certified to operate the vehicles, Carfi said. Over winter break, the drivers took the trolleys out to get familiar with the routes prior to the system’s debut at the beginning of the semester.

The trolleys follow set routes during the day, but there is flexibility with pick-up and drop-off locations. If a student flags down the driver, they’ll get picked up.

The university has received some requests for trolley use during special events. Right now, the focus is on the routes that have been set up already, Carfi said, but they’ll try to accommodate requests when there’s off-time. The trolleys will also be used to pick up international students from the airport in the summer, Carfi said, for a true Syracuse welcome.

Published on January 21, 2020 at 10:52 pm

Contact Haley: hrober03@syr.edu