Gatlinburg Trolley System Offers Vacation Convenience and Savings

Did you know that Gatlinburg’s Trolley System is the fifth largest mass transit system in the State of Tennessee? It originated in 1980 with only six trolleys, but the fleet has grown to 20-plus trolleys servicing approximately 50 miles of trolley routes. In 2008, nearly 800,000 patrons took advantage of riding rather than driving to their destination.

Gatlinburg’s fleet is fueled by a blend of B20 biodiesel, a 20-percent vegetable oil-based fuel product blended with 80 percent petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel has a sparkling track record of reducing engine wear and maintenance and increasing fuel economy while decreasing sulfur, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions.

Did you know that you can find Gatlinburg trolley locations in real time from a website? Funded by a grant, trolleys are monitored by a global positioning system, and the information is translated by the Intelligence Transportation System into estimated arrival time at eight popular trolley shelters, including the large information sign located at the Gatlinburg Mass Transit Center located at Traffic Light #5 next to Ripley’s Aquarium. To view the location of Gatlinburg’s trolleys online.. A city map will appear. The box color indicates the trolley route color.

All Gatlinburg trolleys are handicap accessible. Exact change is required on all routes. Trolley coupon books valued at $5 make riding the trolleys even more convenient. For more information, contact the Mass Transit office at 865/436-3897 or visit any of the Gatlinburg Welcome Centers.

The Red Route runs through downtown Gatlinburg. The Blue Route serves the Free Park-N-Ride lot next to City Hall and offers access to shops, lodging and businesses on East Parkway. The Purple Route serves the Free Gatlinburg Park-N-Ride lot and Gatlinburg Welcome Center located on the Spur/Highway 441 between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. The Green Route services the Parkway and Convention Center areas as well as the south end of the Parkway. Fare for Red, Blue, Purple and Green Routes is 50 cents.

The Yellow Route (April through December) makes the entire eight-mile Arts & Crafts Community Loop once per hour. Fare is $1 all day with unlimited on/off accessibility. The Pink Route (April through December) allows convenient access to Dollywood. Fare is $1 each way. Serving the National Park, the Tan Route (June through October) departs from the Mass Transit Center. Fare is $2 round trip.

For several days in June, Gatlinburg trolleys make popular environmentally -friendly runs into Great Smoky Mountains National Park, providing trolley service to over 10,000 visitors viewing the natural light show of the synchronous fireflies at Elkmont.