Island Trolley

Whether this is your first time on Anna Maria Island, your 50th time, or you’re a native, there is no better way to get around the island than to ride the free Anna Maria Island trolley. Sit back, relax, enjoy the view and leave the driving and parking to someone else. Hop on and off as often as you like. Several trolleys loop the island from Coquina Beach on the southern tip in Bradenton Beach up to the City Pier in the City of Anna Maria on the northern end of the island on a daily basis. The trolleys also run on most holidays.

Early birds will be excited to know island trolley service starts at 6am from both ends of the loop. Trolleys typically run at 20 minute intervals until 9pm, then every 30 minutes until 10:30pm. (times may vary due to unforeseen incidents, traffic conditions or weather) You’ll never be far from a trolley stop, you can usually find them every two to four blocks. With 35 northbound and 35 southbound trolley stops, it’s easy to get anywhere you want to go on the island.

For a list of all the trolley stops, route and time table, pick up an AMI Chamber of Commerce island map at the Chamber office, the visitor kiosk at Manatee Beach or at various businesses around the island. You may also find a schedule on the MCAT site here.

The front of the trolley holds two single seat, two-wheeled bikes 16 inches or higher. It is easy to load your bikes on the rack, then unload them at any trolley stop and go exploring on your own. Be sure to take all your belongings when you get off the trolley. Should you leave something on the trolley, please contact MCAT lost and found at 941-747-8621.

We invite you to enjoy the free island air-conditioned trolley. Not only is it fun, but you will be helping reduce traffic and congestion on the island. Please read about our Trolley Giving Back Program to learn more about how it contributes to keeping the trolley free as well as giving back to the local community. If you find it in your heart to help, donations are gratefully appreciated. There are donation boxes on each of the trolleys.

Beach ConneXion Shuttle

The newest trolley, the Beach ConneXion Shuttle, runs seasonally from December through April every year. This new service began December 2019 to help drivers avoid heavy beach traffic on Manatee Avenue going on and off Anna Maria Island during peak tourist season. The Beach ConneXion Shuttle will operate on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, from 10am to 6pm.

As are all the trolleys on the Island, The Beach ConneXion Shuttle is also free! Pick up the shuttle at the sheltered Manatee County Area Transit bus stop at the northeast corner of Manatee Avenue and 75th Street West. There is plenty of parking in the commercial center there (Kmart/Publix center). No need to try and find a parking space on the Island, the shuttle will take you right to Manatee Public Beach! There are also several bus stops between Manatee Avenue/75th Street West and Manatee County Public Beach where passengers can get on or off the Shuttle at any of these stops as well.

Mainland transit connections to the new Beach ConneXion Shuttle are available via MCAT Route 3 which serves the Manatee Avenue corridor and operates Monday through Saturday, and the Beach Express operating along the same corridor on Sundays and holidays.

Prefer to relax at Coquina Beach on the south end of the island? Board the Beach ConneXion Shuttle, travel to AMI, and make a connection to the southbound AMI Trolley at Manatee County Public Beach.  The AMI Trolley, which operates every 20 minutes (depending on traffic conditions), will take you to the main entrance by the beach café at Coquina Beach. Be sure to download the trolley app to track the trolley’s whereabouts and its expected arrival or departure time for your stop.

Trolley App

Want to know where the trolley is in real time, how long it will be before it gets to your stop, or where the nearest trolley stop is? You can now find the trolley (or any other Manatee County Area Transit Bus) on your phone!

Download the myStop software application on your mobile device. The myStop app can be accessed using the Apple Store or Google Play Store. Select Manatee County as the transit authority, and identify your trolley/bus route and stop in the app. You can set up optional notifications for trolley arrivals at your designated stop.

Once your preferences are set to the AMI Trolley Route, a map of the whole island with all the trolley stops and icons showing the current trolley locations will be displayed. It’s that easy! Make the most of your time on the island and plan your day using the app to receive real-time trolley information as travel conditions vary day to day, especially during peak tourist season when island traffic is heavier.

You can also track the trolley from any trolley stop without the app if you have a QR code reader on your phone. Scan the QR code at a particular stop and it will provide the arrival time for each trolley servicing that specific stop.

For non-techie folks, you can call MCAT at 941-749-7116 during their regular business hours, 7AM to 6PM, Monday through Friday, for real-time information on the trolley.