Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely.



In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the best move.



Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott discuss how removing trolleys could affect locals and tourists, how new transportation concepts could fill this gap and whether the new downtown bus loop should be free.



"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.

Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely.
 
In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the best move.
 
Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott discuss how removing trolleys could affect locals and tourists, how new transportation concepts could fill this gap and whether the new downtown bus loop should be free.

"The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/">knoxnews.com. </a>Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by <a href="https://profile.knoxnews.com/newsletters/urban-knoxville">clicking here,</a> and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2476530172607529/">the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.</a>

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Every Tuesday, host Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com, part of the USA Today Network.

Each Monday, Ryan Wilusz and expert guests bring you the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

The Scruffy Stuff

Kick back with Ryan Wilusz and Calvin Mattheis each Monday for the latest news happening in and around downtown Knoxville, and stay tuned on Thursdays for "Last Call" conversations with special guests. "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by Knox News, part of the USA Today Network.

Trolley buses are going away as part of KAT Reimagined, a transit overhaul that will put more resources toward ridership over coverage. But downtown transportation isn't disappearing entirely.  In addition to increasing frequency for buses that come downtown, Knoxville Area Transit is planning a downtown connector loop that would replace the trolleys to an extent. But not everyone agrees that's the best move.  Ryan Wilusz and Brenna McDermott discuss how removing trolleys could affect locals and tourists, how new transportation concepts could fill this gap and whether the new downtown bus loop should be free.  "The Scruffy Stuff" is presented by knoxnews.com. Want more downtown analysis? Sign up for the free weekly Urban Knoxville newsletter by clicking here, and join the downtown discussion by becoming part of the Urban Knoxville group on Facebook.