Customers, businesses excited as Danville's new Mainline Trolley Service begins

Service began at 4 p.m. Friday

DANVILLE, Va. – Businesses in Danville's River District could start noticing an increase in business thanks to the city's new Mainline Trolley Service.

Sarah Rodden owns Lizzy Lou Boutique at the corner of Main Street and Memorial Drive in Danville's River District.

The new Mainline Trolley Service will pass right by the shop.

"We're really excited about it," Rodden said. "It's a great opportunity for downtown, especially as we're starting to grow down here."

The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoon.

For the past eight months, the trolley has been undergoing a renovation in preparation for the new service.

"I'm hoping on a Saturday afternoon someone might say, 'Hey, let's just catch the trolley, go downtown, shop for a little while, maybe stay around and eat dinner,'" Rodden said.

Lillie Jones is a frequent customer of Kim's Glitz & Glamour Boutique and says the trolley is encouragement to come downtown more often.

"As a native of the area and dealing with the same issues in our capital city, I definitely want to come home and be able to come down here and not get a parking ticket and shop," Jones said.

Riding the trolley costs $1 per person per ride. Each adult can bring one child under the age of 12 with them for free.

People 60 and older and people with disabilities can ride for 50 cents.