On July 8, 2010, the federal government announced it was awarding the M-Line a $4.9 million grant. In addition, the federal grant will be matched by $5 million from the North TexasCouncil of Governments.

This will allow us to complete our planned loop that will extend trolley service to downtown. The extension down Olive Street to Federal Street is already funded and work will begin soon. The new money will allow us to extend our current tracks on St. Paul from Ross Avenue to Federal and up Federal to connect with Olive Street.

On completion, Our line will run through the Woodall Rodgers deck park (over the freeway) through the Arts District to downtown. Not only that, but we will also gain a new connection with DART Light Rail. Federal Street is only a block away from DART's downtown transit mall -- easy walking distance from their St. Paul and Pearl stations.

In the late 1940s and the1950s trolley lines were being abandoned all over the country because they were considered "old fashioned" and "stumbling blocks" to progress. Now, in the 21st Century, it has been proven that trolley and light rail lines rejuvenate neighborhoods, increase pedestrian traffic and, in general, create economic booms along their routes. Light rail and trolley (aka streetcar) lines are now sprouting up all across the country.

According to M-Line president Phil Cobb, our trolleys carried 309,000 riders (about 850 per day) in 2009. The new route has the potential to increase the efficiency and usefulness of the M-Line, potentially boost annual ridership, and make a greater impact on downtown transportation.