After false starts, Patriot Trolley is on the road
The red-white-and-blue Patriot Trolley is on the road and rolling, despite the roadblocks that fate and the coronavirus have tried to put in its way.
“It’s been a unique journey,” owner Ron Hasty said. “When we went to pick the bus up in Virginia, I got hurt and had to drive 700 miles back home with a broken ankle. Getting it here, getting it wrapped (a decorative coating applied to the bus exterior) and getting it serviced has been more complicated than we planned.
“We’ve been in four months of limbo, not being able to get it out on the road.”
But the 30-passenger bus is finally ready to offer transportation throughout Jefferson County for everything from bachelor parties and wine tours to family reunions and corporate events.
Hasty said his company will take all reasonable precautions to address COVID-19 concerns.
“We would hope people would take every precaution with regard to masks, social distancing and hygiene,” he said. “We have plenty of hand sanitizer on board.”
Hasty, an Army veteran and former longtime St. Louis policeman, said one of the advantages to his business is providing safe transportation for revelers.
“It’s kind of my way of giving back,” he said. “I’ve had a couple of friends killed in DWI accidents, and I’ve seen how it destroys families. This is a great way to provide safe transportation and give people a chance to have fun at the same time. Leave everything to us.”
Pre-planned tours, such as winery day trips, are offered, and private engagements and custom excursions also can be arranged.
“We are also working with veterans groups like the VFW to organize free monthly trips for our veterans to visit the Missouri’s National Veterans Memorial in Perryville,” Hasty said.
For more information, call 636-232-5629.