Scottsdale Trolley

Question

Does this trolley still run? I see it looks active on their website, but see no evidence of a trolley on maps I picked up at the unmanned visitor center at Fashion Square. I’ve taken the trolley in the past, but the last time was 3 years ago.

Answer

Yes — the Scottsdale Trolley *is* still operational, but with some important caveats, especially if you’re looking for the tourist-friendly “Old Town loop” or the service you remember from a few years ago. Here’s a breakdown of what the current service looks like and what that means if you’re planning to use it.

Service Details from the City Website

The official city site states the trolley offers “three fixed routes with connections to nine regional-fare bus routes.” It also lists the trolley service as free, with a 20-minute frequency for those routes. The hours specified are Monday through Friday from about 5:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.

What Has Changed / What to Watch Out For

Some user reports indicate that the specific “Old Town Scottsdale downtown/tourist loop” route may no longer be running as it did pre-COVID. According to one TripAdvisor thread: “the trolley system is still there but the downtown loop … was not brought back after the COVID closure.”
A Facebook commentary and local posts suggest that some routes exist but may not serve Old Town Scottsdale exactly as before: “No. The old town trolley… quit running a few years ago. There are three other routes … but they do not cover old town.”
The Yelp page for the trolley still indicates it is active: “SCOTTSDALE TROLLEY … The free, public trolley runs every 15 minutes.” However, Yelp and other user reviews may reflect earlier service patterns, so it’s wise to check the current route map for your dates.

What This Means for Your Visit

If you’re planning to rely on the trolley for transportation around Old Town Scottsdale (shopping, dining, nightlife) here are practical things you should check:

Look up the latest route map and schedule on the City of Scottsdale transit site or call the transit office directly. The city page confirms there are still three routes for the trolley.
Check whether the route you specifically want (Old Town Scottsdale loop) is covered on your travel dates. If it has been suspended or changed, you’ll want a backup plan (ride-share, bus, walking).
Verify the stop locations and hours—since service ends by 7:45 p.m. on weekdays, if you plan evening dinner/shopping, the last trips may not align with your schedule.
Consider that the service may be more commuter- or city-resident focused rather than purely tourist-oriented like earlier “hop-on/hop-off” trolleys. That means fewer decorative trolley cars or themed loops and perhaps simpler stops.

Bottom Line

Yes, the Scottsdale Trolley is still running, but if you’re hoping for the exact tourist-friendly loop you used three years ago around Old Town Scottsdale, the answer is that it may not be the same. Some routes have changed or been scaled back, especially the Old Town downtown loop. It’s best to check the current route map and schedule for your specific dates, and plan a backup for travel within Scottsdale just in case the trolley does not serve your exact destination.

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