‘A tourist in your own city’: Medicine Hat trolley tours have something for everyone, rider says

The trolley tours offer an in-depth and personal look at Medicine Hat’s past and present for all riders.

The tours are guided by long-time residents of the city with an extensive knowledge of its many landmarks.

Mo Cranker, manager of transportation operations for Tourism Medicine Hat, said the local tour guides for the Sunshine Trolley keep each tour different with their varying upbringings.

“They’ve all lived here for pretty much their entire lives. They all bring a unique perspective to tour guiding,” he said.

“All their tours are different, but they all go over the history, the lore, the landscape — and they mix in a lot of personal stories growing up here, family they had here.”

Cranker said the local tour guides keep each tour different with their varying upbringings. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Sally Sehn guided a tour Saturday, and said having a guide present offers more interaction.

She said the best things she hears when completing a tour are compliments from locals.

“I have people coming up to me and saying ‘I’ve lived here my whole life and I didn’t know that.’ So then I know, ‘Okay, I’ve done my job,'” she said.

Sehn said in the summer a lot of tourists come through and people from other countries.

She said at times the trolley will have, for example, somebody from Germany and somebody from a country in Africa on the same tour.

“They have a different perspective, they have a different outlook on to what they’re about to see,” she said.

“You kind of have to gear your tour towards who is riding the trolley on that particular tour.”

Sehn said having a guide present on tours offers more interaction.. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Bonilla has been enjoying the trolley tours with her family for the past three years, but said there’s always something to learn with each tour.

“I find it so educational, and every tour guide stops at different places, or gives you different tidbits,” she said.

“I find that every tour is different and unique.”

Bonilla said the various trolley experiences offer something for everyone — whether that be the Sunshine Cafe and Market Tour, or the Guided City Tour that she rode on Saturday.

“This [tour] is a great way to learn about the history, to check out new places,” she said.

Bonilla said the various trolley experiences offer something for everyone. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Cranker said the trolley is a unique way to get around the city — and loves that Tourism Medicine Hat is able to offer it to residents, visitors, friends, family and anybody else who wants to ride.

He said when the city first got a trolley, there were a lot of people unsure as to why.

“I think we’ve made it very clear why Medicine Hat should have a trolley,” he said.

“The community has responded in just positive ways the entire way.”

The Sunshine Trolley is accessible for those with wheelchairs, walkers or any other mobility needs.

Trolley rides for children under 12 are free, and pick-up for tours is at the Visitor Information Centre.

The Sunshine Trolley is generously supported by South Country Co-op, Saamis Rotary Club and Sunrise Rotary.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘A tourist in your own city’: Medicine Hat trolley tours have something for everyone, rider says

Our Community