King Street Trolley, Alexandria VA (Photo – Marc Corti for Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
There are cities that preserve their history, and then there are cities that bring it to life. A recent visit to Alexandria, Virginia, made that distinction unmistakably clear.
By Wafic Khalil
Walking through its beloved Old Town, Alexandria feels like stepping into a living storybook. Its Old Town is intimate, just one lane in each direction, yet full of energy. Instead of endless chains, you find locally owned shops, independent cafés, and storefronts with character. It’s not just commerce; it’s community.
And then there’s the history. It isn’t tucked away in museums; it’s embedded in the pavement beneath your feet. Nearly every few steps reveals a plaque or marker: a reminder that George Washington stood here, that something meaningful happened there. The past is not distant in Alexandria; it’s woven into daily life.
What truly elevates the experience, though, is how effortlessly the city moves people through it.
Running along King Street (their counterpart to our own Colorado Boulevard) is a free, charming, accessible and remarkably practical trolley system. Styled like a classic trolley but operating on wheels, it carries both locals and visitors up and down the corridor throughout the day and into the evening. It’s more than transportation, it’s an invitation to explore a little farther, stay a little longer, and engage more deeply with everything the district offers.
It’s hard not to imagine what something similar could do for Pasadena.
With vibrant business districts like Old Pasadena, the South Lake Avenue District, and Playhouse Village, the city already has all the ingredients. What’s missing is the connective thread: a simple, welcoming way to move people seamlessly.
Imagine a free trolley route linking these areas. Visitors could park once and explore freely. Locals could rediscover their city without the friction of traffic or parking. Businesses across districts would benefit from increased flow, not just isolated foot traffic. The experience of Pasadena would transform from a set of destinations into a cohesive journey.
The numbers suggest this isn’t just romantic thinking; it’s practical. A quick search indicates that Alexandria generates roughly $1 billion annually from tourism, while Pasadena brings in about $700 million. Closing even part of that gap could have a meaningful economic impact, and improved accessibility is a proven driver of increased visitor engagement.
Of course, Pasadena has its own unique considerations, like the iconic Rose Parade. But even that isn’t a barrier. A trolley system could simply pause or reroute during major events. Cities adapt all the time. That is what makes cities resilient.
This isn’t about copying another city. It’s about recognizing a good idea when you see one, and imagining how it could be reinterpreted to fit Pasadena’s own identity.
Because sometimes the smallest changes can reshape how a city feels, functions, and flourishes.
Yes! I feel some of the comments do not understand the Trolley proposed. Its a fancy bus that looks like a tolley, more attractive than a standard bus. It would be free and have a limited range just between Old Town and South Lake. Totally feasible and encourages less driving between the two. They have some at Miami beach and they are wonderful as a tourist. It feels better than a regular bus, more pleasant less dinghy. It would be worth a try, could run double time around New Years for the Rose Parade vistors.
Like others have said, these can work, but really need local support. Also they should be paid for and run by the Business Improvement District and not by the city or the transit agency. Finally, if they are designed as a one way loop to hit more locations, they look good on paper and are cheaper, but end up being terrible for users
This would be excellent – avoids parking congestion
Extend it to PCC and all the way to the Del Mar light rail station
There already is a bus that takes that route! It’s Pasadena Transit 10.
I’ve been in business no Pasadena for 40 years. Well what you’re saying sounds good. We’ve had to put up with the construction of a bike line that nobody uses and now we’re going to be putting up with the construction throughout the city of a rapid bustling to North Hollywood that seems like a total waste. In the meantime, businesses that are surrounding those areas are dying because people can’t get to them. The last thing we need is one more thing to shut down parts of the city while construction takes place.