Wrigley Field trolleys expected to start by May 7 game

April 26, 2005

BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter

Under fire from Lake View residents, City Hall has finally released the $70,000 needed to subsidize a Wrigley Field trolley system, but not in time to reduce traffic congestion at Monday's first Cubs night game of the season.

Instead, trolleys are expected to be up and running May 7, when the Cubs play a weekend game against the Philadelphia Phillies during their next homestand. The trolleys will carry fans to and from Michigan Avenue hotels and the Ravenswood Metra station for a $5 round-trip fare.

"I would advise everyone to find out where the trolley is going to be and ride it," said Charlotte Newfeld, who chairs Citizens United for Baseball in Sunshine. "It's going to be convenient and fun. If this is successful, it can be expanded to other stops."

Team yet to sign contract

The Chicago Sun-Times reported last week that the trolley -- which area residents demanded to ease traffic congestion as bleachers are expanded and more night games are phased in -- would not be up and running in time for the first night game because City Hall had not released the required subsidy from a city-controlled fund generated by annual contributions from the Cubs.

Newfeld said it was pivotal that trolleys start running as quickly as possible to get fans who attend multiple Cubs games into the habit of using the new system.

The next day, City Hall sent the Cubs a check for $70,000, the estimated cost of operating the new system 52 times a year -- for 26 night games and 26 weekend games. That's even though the team has yet to finalize trolley routes or sign a formal contract with the Chicago Trolley Co., its designated vendor.