History is moving in Ellicott City as Howard County Executive Calvin Ball unveiled the new Old Ellicott City (OEC) Trolley service, set to hit Main Street starting Saturday. The service marks a nod to the bygone era when streetcars were central to the town's transit, running here for over half a century. This modern spin on the historic trolley aims to connect the dots between residents, businesses, and the city's storied locales, making the area more accessible, especially during weekends and events. "Together, we all share a common goal of ensuring our historic Ellicott City is a thriving, connected, accessible, and welcoming place for all and today, marks another exciting step towards us cementing that goal," Ball said, signaling a step forward for community connectedness, according to Howard County press release.
The service, which launches in partnership with the County's Office of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland, and the Ellicott City Partnership, is set to make rounds every 10 to 15 minutes. The trolley is free, enhancing the appeal of Main Street and ultimately seeking to ease traffic woes. Delegate Courtney Watson says, "This Trolley is an exciting new development that will make Main Street more accessible and convenient for local residents and tourists." The effort costs the County about $300,000 for two cutaway buses, each with 12 to 14 passenger capacity, including ADA accessibility, as detailed by the Howard County press release.
In an initiative that champions convenience and historic preservation, the OEC Trolley reflects a portion of the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan, unanimously adopted by the Howard County Council in December 2020, which came after the floods of 2016. This plan details multiple solutions to transform and strengthen the city, with an eye toward economic development and climate resilience.
