Star Line Trolley starts

All aboard. It’s the newest addition to Valley Metro. The Star Line Trolley looks like public transit of old only this one runs on the street instead of a track. And, it’s goal is very specific: link the Carilion complex to downtown Roanoke.

The route for the trolley makes that clear. There are nine stops between the Farmer’s Market and Carilion including the Bio Med Center and the soon to be built Medical School. That end of town is lacking in restaurants, leaving Carilion employees wondering where to eat.

“One of the big questions and debates these days about the medical school is, where’s the food service area? My answer to that is street food and the trolley. It’s an important addition,” said Carilion CEO Dr. Ed Murphy.

And it will likely do more than that. WSLS was on board for the trolley’s maiden voyage, if you will. The main route is Jefferson Street. Bill Carder, director of Downtown Roanoke, Inc., calls Jefferson Roanoke’s “major emphasis right now.”

The city wants to revitalize the street, attracting more businesses, restaurants and visitors and thereby recreating it as downtown’s main street.

“This trolley is going to help that development along that corridor,” Carder said.

It will also help with what many call downtown’s biggest problem: parking. Mayor David Bowers made the sales pitch, saying, “Get on the trolley and you won’t have to worry about parking when you come downtown for the new art museum or Farmer’s Market.”

And best of all, it’s free.

The trolley will run only on weekdays from seven to seven. Stops will be every ten minutes between the hospital and market and every seven minutes during the lunch rush.