Gatlinburg Press Releases

Tennessee’s Fifth-Largest Mass Transit System Carries 800,000 Passengers Annually

The Gatlinburg Trolley System is the easiest and most convenient way for visitors to get around town!
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 2011, nearly 800,000 patrons took advantage of riding rather than driving to their destination.
You can now hop aboard the Gatlinburg Trolleys all day long for just $2 a day with unlimited access to the Red, Blue, Purple, Yellow and Green Trolley routes. The $2 program is targeted specifically to visitors and residents in response to escalating gas prices, and is being promoted via Internet and word-of-mouth in the hope of easing the budgetary concerns of patrons. The $2 Pass is sold at all three Gatlinburg Welcome Centers as well as at City Hall and the Mass Transit Center, plus numerous Gatlinburg lodging facilities.
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, visit www.otvia.com/gatlinburg. 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.
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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.
    During Smoky Mountain Winterfest, visitors can soak up the spirit of the season by taking a relaxing Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights. These popular guided excursions are available by advance reservation and embark from the city’s trolley center located at Traffic Light #5. The trolley carries its guests on a memorable journey through downtown and adjacent Hwy. 321, allowing everyone to experience the magical wonder of Gatlinburg Winter Magic.
    Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights embarks at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 nightly beginning Nov. 7 through Dec. 30, 2011, except for Dec. 7, the evening of the city’s annual Christmas parade, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Trolley excursions are available on Saturdays during the month of January.