Travel back in time this Presidents Day with a ride on the very first red San Diego trolley car — part of the Metropolitan Transit System’s modified holiday schedule.
Riders can enjoy the view from the vintage 1001 U2 trolley, which began service in 1981. It will run on the Silver Line on Monday, circulating on the downtown loop.
The vintage trolley will will leave the 12th and Imperial station for its first trip at 9:07 a.m., and it will start its final trip at 5:07 p.m.
The Silver Line is a special trolley line that only operates on certain holidays, such as St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It has a few other restored antique trolleys in its fleet, including the Presidents Conference Committee Streetcars 529 and 530 from the 1940s.
Harry Mathis, standing, then chair of the MTS board, chats with riders on a restored 1949 vintage trolley’s inaugural run on August 19, 2011, in San Diego. (Peggy Peattie / For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Passengers can board the trolley from any of its stops on Monday. The full downtown loop around the Gaslamp Quarter takes about 30 minutes.
MTS will otherwise operate on a reduced holiday schedule on Presidents Day, following a Saturday schedule.
The Rapid Express Routes 280 or 290 will not offer service, along with Rural Routes 891, 892 and 894. Rural Route 888 also will not operate.
MTS Access subscription passengers must call ahead of time to arrange their transportation.
Dennis Graff, of Chula Vista, steps off a vintage trolley after riding it through downtown San Diego on Tuesday, May 28, 2014. (Stan Lim / PE file)