Havre de Grace’s Electric Tide Trolley: A Free, Open‑Air Tour Around Town

If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Havre de Grace and worried you might miss the lighthouse, the historic downtown, or the Lock House, you now have a simple solution: hop aboard the Tide Trolley. Conceived by Mayor William T. “Bill” Martin, this open‑air, all‑electric shuttle whisks passengers past the town’s biggest attractions in about twenty minutes.

The concept was born on a cross‑country road trip. Martin saw other charming towns sprouting trolley services and thought, “Our town’s beautiful, historic, and artsy – why not give visitors a fun, eco‑friendly ride?” He wanted something different from a typical bus, so he opted for an open‑air vehicle that runs on electricity, avoiding the fumes that would mar the Chesapeake Bay‑side ambiance.

Getting the trolley on Maryland roads wasn’t a walk in the park. State regulations barred low‑speed, electric vehicles over 3,000 pounds. After nearly four years of back‑and‑forth with the governor’s office and the DMV, the rules were changed, and the Tide Trolley finally rolled out.

Today the trolley glides along a 14‑stop loop marked by blue signs. Riders can hop on or off at any point, or simply sit back and enjoy the whole circuit. Seats are fitted with seatbelts, and the vehicle can carry up to twelve passengers, though the ADA‑compliant trolleys hold a few fewer.

When it first launched, officials considered a $1 fare, but the driver‑ambassadors suggested waiving the charge to get folks comfortable. Within the first month, more than half the riders turned out to be locals, not tourists. That revelation convinced Martin to keep the service free for everyone.

The schedule is straightforward: Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.‑1 p.m., Sundays noon‑5 p.m., and the same Sunday hours on selected holidays. Bad weather puts the trolley out of service, which is always a disappointment for residents who have grown to love the ride.

Beyond the novelty, the trolley serves a practical purpose. By encouraging people to park at larger lots—Tydings Park, the Lock House lot, the STAR Centre lot—it eases downtown congestion and cuts down on car emissions. In other words, it’s a tiny but meaningful step toward a greener, more walkable Havre de Grace.

Mayor Martin sums it up nicely: “The Tide is now, and will remain, a signature Havre de Grace activity for visitors and residents alike. The ability to move people safely and efficiently around our city can’t be overstated.”