Leaders Launch Old Ellicott City Trolley As Fun, Free Transportation Mode Across The OEC

ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A new public transportation service will start Saturday for those wanting to visit or shop historic Ellicott City in style.

Designed to replicate the historic trolley streetcar that operated along Ellicott City's Main Street for more than 50 years during the 19th and 20th centuries, the new Old Ellicott City Trolley will operate as a free circulator bus service running between Parking Lot F located off Ellicott Mills Drive to Parking Lot A off Oella Avenue across from the Patapsco River, county officials shared during a news conference Wednesday.

In 1899, the #9 Trolley Line was launched to provide a streetcar connection between Baltimore City, Catonsville and downtown Ellicott City. This historic Trolley service served Howard County’s Ellicott City community for more than 50 years until it was discontinued in the 1950s. The historic #9 Trolley Line route has since been turned into a popular biking and walking/jogging trail between Catonsville and Ellicott City, city officials said.

The blue and orange trolley will run on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will arrive at its designated trolley stops every 10 to 15 minutes. On weekends when special events or activities are happening in town, the OEC Trolley route will be extended up to the historic Circuit Courthouse parking lot at 8360 Court Avenue. Although Ellicott City has 900 public parking spaces scattered across town, the town’s steep hills and narrow sidewalks can present obstacles for some visitors, residents and workers, Ball and other officials said during the news conference.

“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,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball during the news conference announcing the OEC Trolley. “Inspired by the historic streetcar that once ran along Main Street, our new OEC Trolley will better connect people to all that Ellicott City has to offer, from shops and restaurants to museums and public parks.”

The trolley came to fruition through a partnership with the county’s Office of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Agency of Central Maryland and the Ellicott City Partnership.

“The Ellicott City Partnership appreciates the county's investment in the historic downtown district by providing free and accessible shuttle service. We believe this investment will support residents, attract businesses and foster a vibrant, equitable environment for visitors,” Sharon Christiansen, executive director of the Ellicott City Partnership, said during the news conference.

The trolleys actually are two cutaway ADA accessible buses that can hold up to 14 passengers and accommodate wheelchairs and cost an estimated $300,000. The OEC Trolley will be operated by the RTA and will provide a connection to RTA’s Route 405 that runs in the greater Ellicott City area along US 40. Leaders said they anticipate the cost of operating the program to cost $118,000 annually and will operate on a trial basis through 2026.

“We at the RTA are excited about the expansion of service to OEC. This new service is in line with our mission of connecting people with places in the region,” Jason Quan, general manager, RTA, said while speaking at the news conference. “The OEC service will allow people to enjoy all that OEC has to offer and at the same time help to mitigate some of the parking challenges.”