WILL SEBERGER/Arizona Daily Wildcat Nick Applegate, volunteer conductor for Old Pueblo Trolley, drives the trolley on East University Boulevard yesterday afternoon.

With the proposed extension of the Old Pueblo Trolley, students may soon have an easy way to shop, dine and barhop downtown.

The trolley currently runs on weekends between North Fourth Avenue's business district and UA's Main Gate, but the proposed extension would extend its current route to the downtown area and allow daily operation. As part of the planned Rio Nuevo project that hopes to revitalize Tucson's downtown, the extension would cost a total of $8 million.

The proposal is partly geared to bring students from UA into the downtown area and vice versa, said Gene Caywood, CEO and chairman for the board of directors of Old Pueblo Trolley.

"It's been something we've been working on for quite some time," said Caywood, who added that the trolley is key to keeping the university, North Fourth Avenue and downtown areas, not only historical, but vibrant.

Public transportation between UA and North Fourth Avenue, which was the equivalent of downtown Tucson today, began in the 1800s. In 1898, a mule-drawn carriage began to operate on what is now East University Boulevard, and by 1906 mule-drawn carriages were replaced by electric streetcars, which served UA until 1930. Following 1930, streetcars were not used again until 1993, when the Old Pueblo Trolley started its services that continue to be run by volunteers only.

Recently celebrating its 10th anniversary, Old Pueblo Trolley hopes to expand its service and become a reliable means of transportation.

Caywood said the trolley is used mainly by tourists, but with the proposed extension, it would hopefully also attract UA students.

"Students don't use it much because right now it only runs on weekends when most students are away from campus," Caywood said.

If the proposed extension passes, the trolley would offer 10-minute service to the downtown area every 10 to 15 minutes. In addition, the number of streetcars would increase from the current two to six. Although the final route is still under discussion, the extension would route through a new underpass along East Congress Street and would end at the Tucson Convention Center, Caywood said.

"When it actually goes more places I think it will be very beneficial for students," he said.

Caywood said the company hopes to complete the extension by 2005.

Although most students say they have never used the trolley, the prospects of a quick and easy way downtown was appealing.

"I think it's a great idea," said political sciences junior Ryan M. White. "It would give students an opportunity to see more of Tucson than just the university area."

White also said that transportation to the downtown area would be helpful for students who live on campus and don't have cars.

"I think it would give students more to do in a city that isn't exactly geared toward student life," White said.

Chelsea Allen, a history junior, said that the proposed extension is a fun idea to bring students to the downtown area.

"I don't really go downtown much, but if the trolley went there it would be kind of cool," Allen said and added that the extension would offer a safe means of transportation between downtown bars and UA.

Old Pueblo Trolley Motorman Nick Applegate has volunteered with the service for eight years and said he is excited to see college students use what is also very historic.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing more people take advantage of our services," Applegate said. He also said that although the extension will make the trolley more of a mode of public transportation, it will still keep its historical significance.

In addition to operating historic streetcars on the weekends, the Old Pueblo Trolley has a public transportation museum that houses restored streetcars and buses.

The trolley operates from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; from noon to midnight Saturday; and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. On Fridays and Saturdays it a one-way ride cost $1. On Sundays the fare is 25 cents each way.

For more information about Old Pueblo Trolley call (520) 792-1802.