Vicksburg’s Trolley Express hit the road Friday with a brief ribbon cutting ceremony at the Old Depot Museum on Levee Street and ceremonial demonstrations ride for VIPs.

“In the late 1800s, Vicksburg had a trolley that went right down the center of Washington Street,” Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said. “It’s funny; the more history changes, the more it stays the same. I think this is going to be an awesome tool for tourism.”

“We are so pleased to expand our service,” NRoute board member Don Brown said. “This has been a project that has been going on for some time. There’s been some hard times, but we’ve made it through with a lot of perseverance. I’m glad to have been able to have a hand in bringing this service to Vicksburg.”

Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau director Bill Seratt said the bus will be an asset to the city, especially with the Vicksburg’s walking trails program beginning in the spring.

“It brings back the charm of the historic districts,” he said after the ceremony. “It takes us back to a time when life was slower and transportation was a bit easier. People will be able to walk part of the trail and catch the bus at another location. The stops are in key areas to get to key attractions.”

“We’ve always been open to visitors,” said Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce director Jean Flowers, adding the trolley will give visitors a chance to see the city and “our historic structures and quaint cottages.”

Main Street director Kim Hopkins said having the trolley “is wonderful. We’re looking forward it to running downtown,” adding it would provide a means for shoppers to better get around the downtown area.

“We’ve been wanting a trolley for some time,” she said.

“This was an awesome day for Vicksburg, because one of things I visualized was a trolley system (for the city) again, and we’ve gotten the coach for the convention center, so I think we’re able to compete with anybody for tourism,” Flaggs said after the ceremony. “Today was significant because of the historical value. Vicksburg was one of the few cities to have rail trolleys back in the 1800s.”

Purchased in December 2014 by NRoute using federal and city funds, with 80 percent of its $192,979 cost paid by a federal transportation grant and the city paying the 20 percent match totaling $38,595, the 24-passenger trolley will run daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., making seven stops every 40 minutes. It will be parked at the city’s south parking garage at the corner of South and Walnut streets.

Tickets are $4 for adults, 50 cents for children ages 3-12. Children age 2 and under will ride free. Passengers will receive a Vicksburg Visitors Guide, which includes a comprehensive map of the attractions of the city. NRoute director Evelyn Bumpers said passenger will purchase the tickerts as they board the trolley.

Free rides will be given the first week of operation.

Bumpers said the acquisition of the trolley was the work of several local agencies, including the Board of Mayor and Aldermen working with the NRoute Board.

“We want people to know that Vicksburg works together,” she said. “This is Vicksburg’s transit system.”

She said after the ceremony the depot was chosen because it was a historic building and because the city has a parking area across Levee Street from the depot.