The latest proposal to start trolley service in Bryan/College Station is on hold.
The chief executive officer of the Brazos Transit District (BTD), Wendy Weedon, tells WTAW News the concept originated before she started working at the transportation agency more than 17 years ago.
Weedon says “Over time, this topic has repeatedly resurfaced. Each time, our position remains consistent: before implementation, we must establish (1) a finalized route, (2) defined operating days and hours, and (3) a confirmed source of ongoing operating funding. Despite multiple discussions, these foundational elements have not yet been finalized, resulting in periodic revisits to the same questions.”
While there is no operating money and no set hours of operation and a route has not been determined, Weedon says the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved grant money to purchase electric powered trolleys. Weedon says the FTA “was scheduled to execute the grant at the start of the new federal fiscal year on October 1, but the recent government shutdown has paused that process. Once federal operations resume, we anticipate FTA will complete the execution so that we may begin the procurement process for the trolleys and other associated capital vehicles.”
WTAW News stories shows the current trolley proposal, connecting downtown Bryan to College Station’s Northgate district, dates back to at least April 2022 when it was brought up during a meeting of the Bryan Business Council.
Weedon told WTAW News “While BTD has taken several preparatory steps and continues to stand ready to assist, the project is not a BTD-initiated effort. It is a City of Bryan concept for which BTD has been asked to provide technical and operational support. Without clear direction and funding commitments from those involved, the project cannot move forward at this time.”
She also says “When the trolleys come in they will be used in BTD’s regular fixed route service if the (downtown Bryan) trolley route has not been figured out by that time”, adding that BTD anticipated trolleys “as a potential option which is why we had no problem requesting them in that competitive grant.”
And Weedon says “the trolley route has potential to be a great addition to our public transit system here in BCS just like the Woodlands Trolleys that BTD started back in the late 1990’s. The Federal Transit Administration also thought the project has merit or else they would not have funded BTD’s application over all the other applications that were not selected.”
Below is information provided by Brazos Transit District CEO Wendy Weedon about the Bryan Downtown Trolley – Background and Current Status
The concept of a downtown Bryan trolley has circulated for many years—well before my tenure began at Brazos Transit District (BTD) over 17 years ago. A few years ago, following Bobby Gutierrez’s election as Mayor of Bryan, the topic resurfaced during a meeting where he inquired whether such a service could be implemented. At that time, we confirmed that it was operationally feasible if funding and an appropriate service plan could be secured.
Initially, BTD identified limited flexibility within the 5307 urban funding program that could potentially support the trolley concept, but not fund it fully. It was made clear from that conversation forward that funding would have to come from somewhere else if this trolley route was to happen. However, following our transition from a small urbanized area to a large urban designation in 2023, BTD’s federal and state funding allocations were reduced by more than $2 million annually. As a result, there are currently no surplus operating funds available to launch or sustain a downtown trolley service.
To explore potential funding sources, BTD included the downtown trolley concept as part of our RAISE Grant application, which also covered projects such as purchasing capital equipment (AKA new buses), and the proposed parking garage at Legends Midtown. The intent was to use the awarded funds to procure electric trolley vehicles that could serve the downtown route or be integrated into other existing routes if necessary. That grant has since been awarded; however, execution has been delayed pending federal approval. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was scheduled to execute the grant at the start of the new federal fiscal year on October 1, but the recent government shutdown has paused that process. Once federal operations resume, we anticipate FTA will complete the execution so that we may begin the procurement process for the trolleys and other associated capital vehicles. The City of College Station, along with several other entities, signed a letter of support for the project. However, as has been customary for many years, these letters expressed general support for transportation initiatives benefiting the community and did not include any commitment or implication of financial participation.
In coordination with the City of Bryan, several conceptual routes have been proposed, though the initial version was determined to be too long and will need to be refined. There has also been discussion about developing a trolley-themed bus wrap to promote the concept. BTD has offered to wrap one of our existing buses to resemble a trolley until the actual new trolley vehicles arrive.
Over time, this topic has repeatedly resurfaced. Each time, our position remains consistent: before implementation, we must establish (1) a finalized route, (2) defined operating days and hours, and (3) a confirmed source of ongoing operating funding. Despite multiple discussions, these foundational elements have not yet been finalized, resulting in periodic revisits to the same questions.
When discussing potential operations, Mayor Gutierrez indicated that the Cities of Bryan and College Station, might jointly participate in funding the trolley service. However, during a March meeting with the City of College Station—attended by City Manager Bryan Woods, Chief of Staff Ross Brady, and others—it was clearly stated that the City of College Station was not interested in financially contributing to the downtown trolley project. The City expressed that its focus was on initiatives directly benefiting College Station residents at this time. This position was later reiterated publicly by Mr. Brady during a BTD Urbanized Area Committee meeting, which included representation from both Bryan and College Station. Therefore, both cities have been aware for some time that College Station does not intend to contribute financially to the project.
BTD has never stated nor implied that this decision was personal or political. Rather, we have consistently conveyed that it reflects the City of College Station’s current operational priorities as they have been expressed to BTD. To our knowledge, their position has not changed. At present, the Downtown Trolley project remains at a standstill pending three key determinations.
- A finalized, realistic route
- Defined days and hours of operation
- Identified and committed operating funds
While BTD has taken several preparatory steps and continues to stand ready to assist, the project is not a BTD-initiated effort. It is a City of Bryan concept for which BTD has been asked to provide technical and operational support. Without clear direction and funding commitments from those involved, the project cannot move forward at this time.