Chicago’s famous trolleys and double decker buses will stop operating in the new year, the company announced Monday.
A message on the Chicago Trolley website reads that the Chicago Trolley & Double Decker Co. will “cease operation” after Dec. 31.
"It is with great sadness that Coach USA Chicago announced today the plan to cease operations for our Chicago Trolley and Indiana Airport Supersaver businesses," said Sean Hughes, director of corporate affairs for Coach USA North America, in a statement.
"Megabus.com operations will continue to utilize the Chicago location as they do today," Hughes said. "Additionally, Megabus.com will serve Notre Dame University to and from O’Hare and Midway airports on the weekends and major school breaks."
The decision caught tourists off guard.
"I remember when I was a kid … riding it down Michigan Avenue," tourist Joe Carlini said. "It's sad to see it gone."
Tour guide and driver Bernard Turner will share some of that sadness.
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"I have mixed feelings," Turner said. "Probably like most of the employees, it seems sad that something that has been such an integral part of Chicago is just falling by the wayside. And you think that someone would pick up the ball and run, and that’s kind of what I am hoping for."
Anyone with tickets for tours after that date can request a refund by calling (773) 648-5000 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the message on the company's website reads.
The company gave no reason for the closure in its message.
