Free trolley rides offered in downtown Winnipeg for Women’s World Cup

WINNIPEG — Hotels are full, restaurants are buzzing with activity and Winnipeg is ready to host FIFA’s Women’s World Cup.

Teams arrived in the city Tuesday and Wednesday and visitors in town for the soccer games have filled nearly every room available.

Delta Winnipeg’s Jordan Lanthier said their hotel is hosting the teams and thousands of visitors here for the soccer match-ups.

“Really, the world is here,” Lanthier said.

First-time visitors to Winnipeg may not know their way around. That’s why the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ partnered with the Winnipeg Trolley Company to offer free rides during the World Cup.

“The Women’s World Cup — you can just feel the energy, and we want to be a part of that party,” Winnipeg Trolley Company’s co-owner Benjamin Gilles said.

“When people come here from other parts of the world, they don’t have a car, modes of transportation. It’s a free way to explore the city,” Jason Syvixay of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ said.

The “Free-Fa” trolley rides will be offered every game day, June 8, 12, 15 and 16 from 9 p.m. to midnight. The route runs in a constant loop during the three hours, making four stops.

Each stop is situated near restaurants and pubs, and you can hop on and off as many times as you want for free while it’s running. The entire loop is expected to take about five minutes.

“When you have thousand upon thousands of visitors, we need to capitalize on it,” Syvixay said.

“The economic benefit that is happening to everyone in Winnipeg and what is great is that restaurants in outlying areas in Selkirk and Brandon will also see an increase in business and getting exposure to clients they have never had before,” Lanthier said.