By Kaitlyn Kirkpatrick

Sep. 28, 2023 (3:00 p.m.) - The Knoxville Transportation Board of Commissioners met to discuss recent news and any public concerns. During this meeting, there was nothing on the agenda to be brought up. But Dustin Durham, Knoxville Transportation Board Commissioner, raised some interesting questions about KAT’s two-year project. 

The look of the Knoxville trolleys is going through a drastic change. Belinda Woodiel-Brill, Director of planning and public information for KAT, speaks on the subject of the trolley refurbishment. “The entire transit system has gone through a two-year project that we call KAT reimagined. And as part of that we noticed a lot of overlapping resources, which is a waste of money,” said Woodiel-Brill. Changing up some of the routes and only having the buses running will save the Knoxville Transit Authority Board more money that can be used to help this project grow.

“The service isn't going away, we're just pulling off the bells and whistles,” said Durham. 

Durham has been hearing comments from the public about trolley system refurbishment and wanted to get some clarification from the board about the process. 

Recently, the board of transportation has been working towards making a downtown connector. This bus system is going to have all-electric buses, called KATs, that are going to make this route run smoother. Even though some people in the public don't like the idea of the old-timey look of the trolleys going away, the actual system of transportation will still be in place. 

“Everyone loves the trolleys because they're just too cute, but also because they are free. I think it's also because it looks old, and it looks like it is from the 1800s. It gives people this sense that we are this cute little city, and they don't want to see that go away.” said Durham.