Downtown Knoxville's free trolleys have made their last trip. What's replacing them?

At 8:05 p.m. on Aug. 24, the Green Line trolley made its final journey through downtown Knoxville, bringing a close to a century-old tradition of trolley service in the city.

The last rides paved the way for a new chapter in Knoxville’s public transit.

Starting Aug. 26, Knoxville Area Transit is launching its KAT Reimagined service plan that was approved in April. Developed with extensive public input, the new service revamps routes across the city, including downtown, with the goals of enhancing efficiency, reducing wait times, and improving connectivity throughout the county, including better access to jobs.

Trolley has rich history in downtown

The Knoxville Streetcar Company established the city's first trolley line along Gay Street in 1876, marking the introduction of electric streetcars that replaced the earlier horse-drawn carriages. These streetcars quickly became a vital component of Knoxville's transportation network, connecting the growing urban areas with the downtown core and linking various neighborhoods. The system thrived for several decades, symbolizing the city’s economic growth and urban development during the early 20th century.

The iconic red trolleys became a common sight and were the most popular mode of transportation in Knoxville until they were gradually phased out. As the tracks were paved over, modern buses took their place. By the mid-20th century, the rise of automobiles and suburban expansion led to the decline and eventual dismantling of the original trolley service, reflecting a shift seen in many American cities during that time.

City relaunched modern trolley service in 1986

The downtown trolley service was revived in 1986 when Knoxville Area Transit launched a modern trolley system as a key element of downtown Knoxville’s revitalization efforts, according to Isaac Thorne, KAT's director of transit.

The modern free trolley service was designed to enhance accessibility within the downtown, supporting local businesses and promoting tourism. Over the years, the service expanded and adapted to meet the needs of the changing city. For decades KAT operated three trolley routes - the Blue Line, Green Line and Orange Line - offering a convenient transportation option that connected key destinations such as the University of Tennessee, Market Square and the Old City.

What new KAT Reimagined plan means for downtown transportation

Thorne told Knox News that while trolley ridership remained steady over its many years in operation, it experienced a significant drop during the COVID-19 pandemic and recovered in the last two years. To enhance and expand KAT's services, resources from the trolley system were reallocated to provide more frequent and consistent bus service throughout the week.

With the launch of the KAT Reimagined plan, downtown Knoxville will benefit from electric bus service on routes similar to the former trolley lines, but with a 50% increase in service. This includes more frequent stops and improved connectivity. The new Downtown Connector route will operate every 12 minutes, seven days a week, with eight buses an hour connecting downtown to the University of Tennessee campus. The all-electric buses aim to improve transit efficiency but also contribute to reduced air and noise pollution.

"There was overwhelming support for more consistent service seven days a week as we gathered public feedback," Thorne told Knox News. "While we’re saying goodbye to the downtown trolley, we’re able to provide a 150% increase in service with the resources we've reallocated."

The KAT Reimagined bus network will include 20 fixed routes, expanding access to more than 94,000 Knoxville residents within a quarter-mile of a bus stop. The redesign emphasizes consistent, frequent service across the city, with most routes operating seven days a week. The plan features a 150% increase in Sunday service and an 80% boost in frequent service, allowing 12,000 more residents to access buses running every 15 minutes. Key routes, such as the combined Route 11/17 along Cumberland and Sutherland to Bearden and Route 31 along Magnolia Avenue, will offer 15-minute intervals during peak weekday hours.

To ease the transition, KAT is offering free bus rides for two weeks, from Aug. 26 through Sept. 8.

Angela Dennis is the Knox News race, justice and equity reporter. Email angela.dennis@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Downtown Knoxville's free trolleys have made their last trip. What's replacing them?