The familiar sound of a trolley bell will ring throughout the downtown earlier than usual this year, after Tourism Moose Jaw repaired the vehicle and enhanced its capabilities.
The organization is finalizing all safety inspections on the machine — including licensing and plating — and intends to spruce it up in the coming days, said Jacki L’Heureux-Mason, executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw. The vehicle should be back either Thursday, April 18 or Monday, April 22. Employees will then be trained to operate it, with the first tour tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 27.
Also new this year is the ability to book trolley tours online through the Tourism Moose Jaw website.
The organization had planned to take the trolley out of operation last September so the machine could be placed on a diesel chassis, explained L’Heureux-Mason. However, an unexpected brake malfunction occurred that took the machine off the road earlier than anticipated.
“When they looked to find parts for it, because it was so old, they couldn’t find anything,” said L’Heureux-Mason recently.
All mechanics could do was order a part that provided no guarantees it would even work, she continued. They would also have to spend at least $10,000 on an unreliable braking system.
That amount of money for brakes, plus the safety of future passengers, didn’t sit well with L’Heureux-Mason. So, Tourism Moose Jaw “had to make the extremely difficult decision to just end the season early.”
“We would never have done anything that wouldn’t be the best for the trolley and our passengers,” she added.
To have the machine back in service means a great deal to the organization, L’Heureux-Mason said. The trolley has “a massive impact” on the organization’s bottom line. Having the machine also ensures the business can run all of its summer programs and hire enough summer students.
“On a much grander scheme, it is a huge morale booster for us,” L’Heureux-Mason continued. “It’s one of our favourite things to do in the summer.”
Between 300 and 400 tourists per day visit the Tourism Moose Jaw office, with many of them wanting to ride the trolley. Not only is the machine a conversation starter — and it generates economic spinoff throughout the community — but it makes L’Heureux-Mason glad when she hears the bell or sees the trolley while downtown.
The complete overhaul of the trolley cost $15,000. Tourism Moose Jaw placed the vehicle on a diesel chassis — essentially turning it into a school bus — which makes it easier to repair, she explained. Instead of using a propane-powered trolley, a diesel vehicle allows the business to operate trolley for longer periods during the day and the year.
For example, last year the propane-powered trolley refused to co-operate if it was under 10 degrees Celsius or more than 35 degrees Celsius. L’Heureux-Mason now believes they could run the trolley until Halloween.
The trolley ensures Tourism Moose Jaw can offer more tours, including the popular school tours, she said. If the upgraded trolley can run longer during the day, three additional tours could also be given. There would also be fewer problems if a group booked an evening trip.
For more information about trolley tours, visit the Tourism Moose Jaw website, or call 306-692-0555.
