Woodstock Trolley Issue Resurfaces, Forces Stop In Service

Nearly two days after getting back up and running, a trolley being tested for popularity by the Woodstock Downtown Development Authority has once again been retired for use.

"We are sad to announce that the downtown Woodstock trolley service scheduled for the rest of December has been cancelled," Main Street Woodstock reported on its Facebook page Saturday morning. "The engine issue that we thought had been fixed earlier this week reoccurred last night while the trolley was in service."

It was the second time this week DDA officials had to cancel the planned use for the trolley.

The DDA is leasing the vehicle from Cherokee County for the month of December to test how much ridership it would receive. The county isn't charging the DDA to lease the trolley. 

The trolley's engine began sputtering and stalling out and mechanics with the county came to inspect the vehicle on Wednesday. 

Kyle Bennett, assistant director of tourism and visitor center operations at the Woodstock Visitors Center at Dean's Store, said engine's problems were caused by water seeped into the trolley's fuel tank, creating condensation that contributed to the engine stalling and sputtering.

The issue was believed to have been resolved, but resurfaced Friday night. Between 700 and 800 people took advantage of the trolley while it was in service. 

The county owns the trolley, which was transferred to them when the city of Canton discontinued its transit services.

The DDA planned to use the 25-passenger vehicle, which was free to residents to ride, on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of December and had several scheduled stops for residents.