Madison Welcomes New Trolley

Trolley to be Used for New Experiences, Also Available for Rent

Madison, Indiana – Visit Madison Indiana and the City of Madison have taken delivery of a new Madison Trolley that will be used to facilitate great visitor and resident experiences throughout the year. Visit Madison purchased the vehicle with grant funds and is donating it to the City of Madison to register and maintain it.

The 30-passenger trolley that arrived early last week was purchased from a private company in Baltimore, Maryland. It is only five years old and has less than 20,000 miles on it. The Visit Madison Board of Directors approved a down payment in August and the final payment in October. Hometown company Mason & Mefford provided transportation, picking it up on Monday and delivering on Tuesday.

"We are so excited to take this step with a new trolley. This trolley will help facilitate and support tours of our community, historic sites, and businesses and serve as a connector to Hanover College and our hilltop. We’re also looking forward to utilizing the trolleys to host conferences and conventions here while utilizing hotels on both the hilltop and downtown," said Andrew Forrester, Executive Tourism Director for Visit Madison Inc.

Forrester worked on a business plan for the trolleys in fall of 2023 as part of his Indiana Tourism Academy final project, and Jefferson County Board of Tourism invested in a three week trial run in October and November 2023 that served as proof that it’s a viable concept. Visit Madison took over booking operations of the 1982 and 1983 trolleys in May 2024, although Dave Adams maintains ownership of the vehicles. Visit Madison will be coordinating with Dave on the future of those vehicles.

Financial support for the purchase of the trolleys came from various grants throughout the past year. Visit Madison received $50,000 from a T-Mobile Hometown Grant in July, the Jefferson County Board of Tourism invested $25,000 in August with a pledge for additional funds in spring 2025, and $250,000 came from a grant to Hanover College by the Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of a $30 million “Jefferson Together” plan, aimed at connecting the college with the Madison and Hanover communities.

“Hanover College is pleased to partner with Visit Madison and the City of Madison to purchase trolleys that will be used to improve connectivity between our campus and the surrounding community. We look forward to seeing all of the good that these newer trolleys can bring to the City of Madison, Town of Hanover, and Hanover College,” said Chip Snyder, Community Relations Director for Hanover College.

The City of Madison accepted the donation of this trolley through resolution in September, so that the City of Madison can register, insure, and maintain the vehicle, with Visit Madison reimbursing the City of Madison for those costs from trolley revenue.

“Trolleys have been an integral part of Madison for the last thirty years thanks to a number of people, including Dave Adams, the owner of the current two Madison trolleys. We are happy to partner with Visit Madison on this initiative because we know the potential they have for great visitor and resident experiences as we continue our ‘Destination Madison’ plan,” said Mayor Bob Courtney.

The first event for the new trolley will be “Holly Jolly Trolley”, happening over the next two weekends. Visitors and residents can purchase a wristband that allows them to ride the new or vintage trolleys that will be decorated and circulating around town during Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes. Tickets are limited. Both old and new trolleys will also be in the Very Merry Madison Christmas parade, with the old trolley hosting those who were part of its history for thirty years, and the new trolley with Visit Madison, City of Madison, and Hanover representatives.

A second brand-new trolley will be coming in May 2025 and will include ADA Accessibility. Once both trolleys are here, Visit Madison plans a full schedule of uses for them, including regular paid tours, free loop routes during special events, and activities each month such as “Taco Trolley Trail” and “Holly Jolly Trolley” that help benefit businesses, museums, and organizations in Jefferson County. This trolley is also available to rent for weddings, family reunions, business outings, and more. For more information about renting the trolley or being a driver or tour guide, call Visit Madison at 812-265-2956 or email trolley@visitmadison.org .