Pedal trolley debuts in Houghton

What’s happening: A new transportation option is available in Houghton, with the debut of the Upper Peninsula’s active pedal trolley. The orange-and-black trolley with copper-colored accents fits in with the local history and adds another element to the area’s new social district. Seating 12, the trolley offers various tours in the Houghton area and is available for reservations.

From sea to land: The trolley will be operated by Keweenaw Boat Tours’s Jason Swain, as the company takes its popular trips along the Portage Canal onto the mainland. Swain said that the company has worked diligently with the city of Houghton to make sure that all of the state regulations are clear for driving the trolley around. 

What they’re saying: “People are looking for things to do and people want to be outdoors and exercise, so this encourages both of those things,” Swain said. “With (the trolley), it’s something different for everyone to do what they want to do.”

What’s next: While he admits that the more popular party tours and celebrating the area’s new social district will attract new customers, Swain said that he will be looking for different opportunities to include all members of the public and promote the area. Some of the early ideas include coffee and pastry tours in the morning or team building exercises for companies in the afternoon. “Most people see these things and think parties and music, but we definitely want to promote that out-of-the-box thinking so everyone can enjoy it,” he said.