Look for Lance Benson and other friendly drivers in Pacific Transit’s Summer Trolley.

LONG BEACH — The Clang! Clang! Clang! is back for another summer as Pacific Transit System’s free trolley hits the road.

If You Go

If You Go

Summer Trolley

Friday-Saturday

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Port of Ilwaco to the Breakers

The familiar red olde-timey bus first hit the streets in 2021 for limited service around the Long Beach area. The route now goes from the Port of Ilwaco to as far north as The Breakers. The Cranberry Museum will be added to the route in a few weeks.

It’s proving popular with beach visitors, especially kids, says driver Lance Benson. “It’s like a carnival ride,” he said. “They’re excited to ride.”

Benson likes to engage potential riders he encounters along his route. He rings the bell and promotes the trolley over the loudspeaker when he sees groups along the way.

For those who climb aboard, the trolley gives easy and fun access around the area.

Benson had a group of dads on Father’s Day weekend who took the trolley to the Ilwaco Saturday Market. Each returned to Long Beach with an armful of goods from the market, so the trip proved beneficial to the market as well as the dads.

“The Summer Trolley links tourists and the places they’re staying to the restaurants and shops that rely on them,” said Pacific Transit General Manager Michael Wagner. “It adds to the beach character and gives visitors another positive memory of their trip to the Peninsula.”

Pacific Transit encourages hotels, campgrounds, rental owners and shops to direct visitors to the trolley. In addition to being a fun way to get around, it keeps a few more vehicles off the road. That’s especially true for RV travelers who may not have a smaller vehicle for local driving.

And it’s a free, fun ride on a lazy weekend at the beach.

So whether you’re on the Peninsula for a few days or you call it home, Pacific Transit invites you to listen for the bell and climb aboard.