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Savannah Streetcar History 

Savannah’s streetcar history was tied to the railroad development after the Civil War. In 1869, small, one-horse streetcars provided citizens and visitors with an affordable transportation option and also served as a feeder from the railroads to the outer islands and growing suburbs of Savannah.                   

In 1890, the first electric streetcar operated in Savannah.  The streetcar barn was located at Gwinnett Street which is the current headquarters of the Chatham Area Transit Authority.  Early into the new century the street railway lines were consolidated by the Savannah Electric Company which provided electricity and now transit operations. The Savannah Electric Company constructed amusement parks and casinos at Thunderbolt and Isle of Hope to increase recreational ridership demand during off peak non-commute streetcar hours. Savannah’s electric streetcars prospered through the 1920’s and 1930’s but were eventually phased out in the 1940’s in favor of the automobile and highway system. In January 1946, the Savannah Electric and Power Company sold its holdings to the Savannah Transit Company. On August 26, 1946, the last streetcar operated in Savannah. Throughout its history, the streetcar system was important to Savannah’s tourism industry.  This is demonstrated by including the regular winter influx of the northern snow birds via the railroad - northern folk escaping the harsh winters. Pamphlets promoting the streetcar service were distributed nationally. 

Return of the Streetcar to River Street

The River Street Streetcar is known as the Melbourne Streetcar 756.  It represents one of 120, W5 class cars built in Melbourne, Australia between 1935 and 1939. The vehicle operated in Melbourne until decommissioned in 1990 and was sold for shipment to the U.S. Only two W5 streetcars have made it to the U.S., Savannah car 756 will be the first operation car of this class in the country. The 47’ streetcar was fully refurbished which included improvements to the electrical and mechanical systems, propulsion and braking systems, internal and external finishes and accessibility.   

Due to concerns with the use of overhead electrical wires as a means of propulsion, Savannah issued the challenge to their contractors to develop a quiet, environmentally friendly system while maintaining the integrity and history of the unique, original streetcar.  The streetcars are powered almost exclusively by ultra capacitor batteries which re-power themselves as they operate.  Small marine engines also aid in the recharging process and power production when needed.   The River Street Streetcar is a new green-powered, fully restored 1930s-era streetcar—the first hybrid streetcar in North America. The rail-bound streetcar will be fueled with B20 biodiesel—produced locally in part using grease collected from the very restaurants the streetcar will pass every day.   

River Street Streetcar Service

The streetcar service will operate along the existing track along River Street between Montgomery Street Ramp.  Streetcar service will run from 12noon to 7PM, five days a week, Wednesday through Sunday. Seven streetcar stops are located along River Street.  Standards that were used to determine the stop locations include accessibility for persons with disabilities and directional proximity to the historic squares. Stops include:

• Franklin Square/Montgomery Street Ramp

• Ellis Square/Barnard Street Ramp

• Johnson Square/Drayton Street Ramp

• Reynolds Square/Abercorn Street Ramp

• Warren Square

• Washington Square/East Bay Street Ramp

• Waving Girl Statue

 The streetcar will not need to turn around on River Street because it is double-ended—meaning it can be driven from both ends.  The streetcar is also double-sided allowing passengers to access both sides.   Approximately 40 to 45 passengers can be seated in the streetcar with roughly double that number of standing passengers.   The streetcar will be equipped with ADA compliant lifts, one on each side, to aid passengers with disabilities or limited mobility in getting on and off of the streetcar.   Please note, according to City ordinance all deliveries must be completed by 12noon.  Additionally, parking is prohibited on River Street and restrictions will be enforced.  

Downtown Transportation—dot

The River Street Streetcar, Savannah Belles Ferry and dot shuttle are all components of the “dot”, Savannah’s fare-free Downtown Transportation system.  The “dot” gets you where you want to go, when you need to get there, in and around Savannah’s beautiful Historic District.  The three components of the “dot” interconnect and transfer at the intersection of the Drayton Ramp and River Street. 

The shuttle bus is currently in operation and consists of two new shuttle vehicles in simultaneous circulation with no more than a 15-minute wait time.  The service includes a series of 10 stops which are in close proximity to key destinations, municipal parking garages and other mobility systems.  The express shuttle operates from 10AM to 8PM, seven days a week.    

The Savannah Belles Ferry is modern passenger-only ferries reminiscent of vessels seen in the harbor a century ago.  The ferries connect downtown with Hutchinson Island and the Savannah International Trade & Convention Center.  The ferries operate seven days a week from 7AM to midnight.  From the Trade & Convention Center Landing (on Hutchinson Island next to the Westin Savannah Harbor Resort) to:·         City Hall Landing below City Hall adjacent to the Hyatt Regency Hotel·         Waving Girl Landing in Morrell Park adjacent to the Marriott Riverfront Hotel The streetcar, shuttle bus and Savannah Belles Ferry are ADA accessible.