The COVID pandemic has been difficult for everyone, especially in the travel industry. Every hotel that reopens, airline route that restarts, country that begins accepting visitors, you name it – they’re all very happy news and are one more step towards normalcy.
But some places and things are just so iconic that when they reopen, it’s almost a cause for celebration.
Case in point, San Francisco’s cable cars.
Originally invented and launched in the city in 1873, San Francisco’s cable cars have survived the city’s great earthquake and fires of 1906. They were even named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Generally used by tourists as a “must do” form of transportation, they’re a worldwide symbol of the city by the bay.
The trolleys were stopped throughout the COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased ridership. They’ve have remained shut down ever since. However San Francisco city leaders recently announced their plans to bring back the city’s public transit lines to full service, starting with its famed cable cars.
“We want people to have great experiences in San Francisco and nothing says San Francisco like a cable car ride, rolling up and down the hills,” Mayor London Breed said during a recent news conference.
The plan is for testing along the lines to begin in mid-July, then training for operators will begin in August.
The trolleys’ schedules will start off slowly, with a focus on the Powell-Hyde line. They’ll then randomly open other lines, until they’re all back to a normal schedule by early September.
Best of all? All rides in the month of August will be FREE, before their normal pricing will go back into effect in September.
Riders will still be required to wear masks onboard and adhere to capacity limits.
H/T: NBC Bay Area
Feature Image: Fred Hsu / Wikimedia Commons
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
