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    Ben Franklin Transit Places Three new Trolley Buses on the Streets of Tri-Cities, Washington

    Nov. 17, 2016
    Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) has announced that it has replaced three aging buses with new GILLIG low floor buses outfitted with trolley replica packages by Cable Car Classics, which combine classic trolley appeal with the safety and reliability
    Related To: Ben Franklin Transit
    Ben Franklin Transit (BFT)
    Trolley Photos 002 Crop 582e05fa1e3e9

    Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) has announced that it has replaced three aging buses with new GILLIG low floor buses outfitted with trolley replica packages by Cable Car Classics, which combine classic trolley appeal with the safety and reliability of modern transit buses.

    On Wednesday, November 9, BFT held a ribbon cutting ceremony with members of their Board of Directors, as well as numerous local elected officials, members of the tourism and business communities and the media. The following Saturday the trolleys debuted at local transit centers in the Tri-Cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, as well as other communities in BFT’s service area, including Prosser, West Richland and Benton City, Wash.

    “It was wonderful to see the reaction of our community to the trolley buses,” said Gloria Boyce, BFT’s general manager. “There has been a lot of excitement from our Board, as well as our community partners. They see countless opportunities to involve the trolley buses in their economic development efforts, including the redevelopment of our urban cores and our growing tourism industry. The public also enjoyed the chance to ride the trolleys before they went on route. We heard from numerous people that they’re fun to ride and that they will enjoy seeing them around town.”

    The trolley buses began circulating on local routes on November 16, and BFT is committed to working with the community to leverage the trollies as a tool to promote both tourism and growth within the region.

    The trolley buses are named for each of the three rivers that come together in the Tri-Cities, The Yakima, The Snake and The Columbia. The trolley replica package outfits a modern transit bus with solid oak seats, brass-colored stanchions, a lighted cupola on the roof and front cowcatcher. It also includes a vintage paint scheme and graphics. Underlying the nostalgic styling is a transit-proven, reliable, heavy-duty GILLIG bus designed and built in Hayward, California.

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