Hofstra University’s trolley is a beautiful vehicle that takes prospective students on a scenic tour around campus. It is new, having been introduced during the Spring 2025 semester. It’s used in campus advertising and is frequently brought out for tours. Its colors match the university’s very well, and it is a welcome addition to the atmosphere during spring and autumn. While it looks pretty and can attract potential students, its only function is to serve tours. The trolley should be open to students and operate regularly.

The trolley being brought out exclusively for prospective students feels insulting. The student  body helped pay for it through tuition, only for it to be dangled in front of tour groups. Besides, prospective students would be disappointed to find that the only time they can ride that trolley is during a tour. The trolley feels like a giant advertisement when it can be so much more.

The trolley should run at least a limited service around campus. It could follow a similar route as the Pride Ride Shuttle, a pilot program that ran through north campus. It stopped at Colonial Square, Hofstra USA and the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center’s east circle. It could add more stops around north campus and even run to central points on south campus, such as Au Bon Pain and Breslin Hall. This would give students key access points to their classes while enjoying the trolley ride. On Fridays and weekends, it can be reserved for tours, preserving its original purpose.

Upkeep should be minimal using this short route. It could also run only a few times a day, Monday-Thursday, saving money on maintenance. This plan gives the severely underused trolley a much bigger purpose, making something that we helped pay for open to all.