Kenosha's Electric Transportation Journey

Climb aboard one of the most beautifully designed cars in the world, the historic PCC electric streetcar. The City of Kenosha operates five of these quiet, pollution-free vehicles on a 1.7 mile oval route.

The Kenosha Transit Electric Streetcars are Electric Railway President's Conference Committee (PCC) cars. Nearly 5,000 of these cars were constructed in North America between 1936 and 1952. Unlike earlier versions of streetcars, the PCC models were quieter, more economical, and featured better motors, controls, acceleration, and braking. The cars in Kenosha's fleet were built in 1951. They were among 50 cars ordered by the Toronto Transit Commission and assembled by the Canadian Car and Foundry Company with components and body shells provided by the St. Louis Car Company. Kenosha's cars once operated in Toronto, Ontario. Toronto replaced these cars with larger ones due to the success of their streetcar system.

The streetcars provide mobility to persons who live or work near Kenosha's lakefront or visit the area throughout the year.

The City of Kenosha is a nationwide leader in implementing alternative fuels technology. Thirty-six percent of Kenosha Transit vehicles are powered by alternative fuels. The streetcars use a state of the art power system that reduces operating and utility infrastructure costs. Twelve City buses operate on compressed natural gas.

Each of the streetcars has a name and unique color scheme. The names and color schemes of four cars represent the legacy of streetcar transportation in the cities of Toronto, Cincinnati, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. The fifth car represents the colors of the electric trackless trolley buses which ran in Kenosha from 1932 to 1952.

February 1, 1903 was the first day of operation for Kenosha's first streetcar system. The first passenger was Mayor Charles Pfennig.

In 1920, Birney cars were brought to the system. They could be operated by one motorman.

February 15, 1932, the electric streetcars were replaced by trackless trolleys. The cars rolled on rubber tires instead of rails. Kenosha gained notoriety for its unique, 100% trackless trolley system.

March 1, 1952, the trolleys came to the end of the line. The change was signaled by a caravan of diesel buses through the city streets.

June 17, 2000, Mayor John Antaramian, along with state and local officials, reintroduced electric rail transportation to Kenosha when they rode the first electric streetcar to operate in the city since 1932.

The Transit Center opened in June, 2000 as a home for Kenosha's electric streetcars and a hub for City buses. In June, 2001, the Transit Center was dedicated in honor and memory of Joseph McCarthy, City Transportation Director from 1991 until his unexpected death in August, 2000. McCarthy had worked hard to improve the public transportation in our community, which included the addition of buses powered by natural gas.

McCarthy recognized the strong resurgence of electric rail transportation across North America. He envisioned electric streetcars as an integral part of the redevelopment of the 64-acre lakefront property today known as HarborPark and was instrumental in the system's development.