What it’s like to ride on an Erie trolley, and why there’s a new fleet coming in 2026

Coming in 2026, the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority (EMTA) is set to receive four new compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered trollies. EMTA officials say that each trolley bus will cost just shy of $800,000 and are paid for with state and local funds.

While Erie residents wait for the new trollies to hit the streets, there are still four trollies to ride in town that have been operating since 2006 with more than a million miles combined.

“These trollies have a lot of miles,” Sarah Morrison, director of marketing and public relations for the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, said of the current fleet. “We have ordered new trollies. The (current trollies) run off of diesel fuel and there’s an initiative across Pennsylvania to reduce the carbon footprint and switch to CNG power. The new trollies will be a little quieter and have a different look with the CNG tanks on the roof rather than the traditional gas tank inside the bus.”

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But don’t worry, trolley fans, these new trollies will still be recognized as a trolley.

“Any time we get new buses I’m excited because I’ll be the first one driving it,” said Joe Gambill, senior driver for the EMTA.

Taking the downtown loop around Erie in an EMTA trolley

One route you can catch with the EMTA is known as the 20A or the downtown trolley.

The morning downtown trolley route begins around 6:10 a.m. with the first loop ending at 9 a.m. The second loop starts at 11:20 a.m. and ends before a 2 p.m. break. The final loop runs from around 3:13 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The best part about taking the downtown loop, it’s free.

The loop begins at the Intermodal Transportation Center at 208 E. Bayfront Parkway, travels across East Front Street, up State Street and through Perry Square. The trolley continues to 14th Street before crossing back over to State Street, making its way back to the Intermodal Transportation Center.

In the summer months, this route typically sees 10 to 15 passengers in the midday loop.

“It’s free so get out while you can and enjoy the ride,” Gambill said.

Notable stops on this loop include UPMC Hamot, Erie County Courthouse, Perry Square and Dobbins Landing.

“Typically, we would be servicing the Lincoln Park-N-Ride but we know because of the bayfront construction it will be quite a hassle to get over there and keep time,” Morrison said. “For the time being, we have a detour on the 20 on State and 12th Street both ways to service the Lincoln Park-N-Ride.”

The cultural loop on the EMTA trolley

Along with the cultural loop, EMTA offers a second trolley route on Saturdays known as the 20L in partnership with the Erie Philharmonic.

“The idea is that the Erie Phil gives us the opportunity to check out all of the other enriching parts of downtown,” Morrison said.

The route begins at the Intermodal Transportation Center then heads across East Front Street and along Dobbins Landing before traveling uptown to Perry Square. From there, the trolley travels up French Street and turns at East 14th Street to State Street before looping back to the Intermodal Transportation Center.

“For the most part, the trollies are free,” Morrison said. “The cultural loop and the downtown trolley (have) no fare. If you are catching the Route 5 and are not a Hamot employee, then there is a fare (50 cents).”

Notable stops on the cultural loop include the Warner Theatre, ExpERIEnce Children’s Museum, Erie Insurance Arena, UPMC Park, Erie Playhouse, Erie Art Museum, and the Erie Maritime Museum.

Can I hire a trolley for a special event?

One misconception is that the EMTA trolley service can be hired for special events such as weddings or parties. That is not the case.

“Many years ago there was a trolley by a private company that was for hire for special events,” Morrison said. “That stopped, then there was Flagship Trolley that was available for people to hire out for weddings and special events, like a limo service. That’s not something that the EMTA does.”

Do the trollies operate in winter?

With the years and miles that are on the trollies in Erie, the question begs: Can you catch a trolley during an Erie winter?

Morrison confirmed with the Erie Times-News that the trollies do operate in the winter.

What does it take to be a trolley driver?

If you aspire to be a bus or trolley driver like Gambill, who has been in the business since 1987 and has a son who is a trolley driver, it requires a special license and knowledge of how to operate a bus.

“All of our drivers have their CDL license,” Morrison said. “They have to pass physicals and drug screenings. To my understanding, it’s the same operations as any transit operational vehicle.”

Where can I learn more about Erie trollies?

Additional information on Erie trollies can be found on the EMTA website or catch the trolley for yourself at the Intermodal Center.

One rule of riding is that at some point in the route you must exit the vehicle; no round trips for pleasure.

Contact Nicholas Sorensen at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What it’s like to ride on an Erie trolley, and why there’s a new fleet coming in 2026

Reporting by Nicholas Sorensen, Erie Times-News / Erie Times-News

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