Our Jolly History: From 1970 to Today
The Jolly Trolley and its bright, colorful vehicles are a local icon, a familiar sight between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach every summer for more than five decades. But most riders do not know how it all started, who started it, or how a pizza legend and a sign boat fit into the story. Here is the history of Rehoboth Beach’s original trolley.
1970: The original Jolly Trolley
The original Jolly Trolley hit the road in 1970 as a tour service for residents and visitors in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach. Its first owners and operators were Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers, Dewey Beach residents who simply enjoyed showing newcomers around town. The trolley quickly became part of the scenery, even appearing on Rehoboth Beach postcards of the era.
The Jolly Trolley on a Rehoboth Beach postcard, circa 1970.
The Grotto Pizza years
More than fifteen years later, the trolley caught the eye of another local legend. Dominick Pulieri, founder of Rehoboth Beach’s iconic Grotto Pizza, purchased the Jolly Trolley in the late 1980s. Dominick saw its potential as a moving advertisement, since it was already a beloved attraction at the beaches. But he quickly discovered that growing a booming pizza business and running a transportation service at the same time was a lot to handle.
1991: A sign boat and a new family
Enter David and Christine Hastings. In the early 1990s, Grotto Pizza advertised on a local sign boat called the Aatcos, fondly known as Ms. Aatcos, which the Hastings owned and operated off the Rehoboth and Dewey shorelines each summer. In 1991, Mr. Pulieri approached the Hastings about managing another advertising vehicle: the Jolly Trolley. After some initial hesitation, they took it on, and from that moment they began building the business plan that would grow into the Jolly Trolley we know today.
Ms. Aatcos, the Hastings family sign boat, off Rehoboth Beach.
David applied his advertising and entrepreneurial experience, adding advertising panels to the original trolley, while Christine, known to generations of riders as Mrs. Jolly Trolley, made safe and friendly rides between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach her personal mission.
Christine Hastings, Mrs. Jolly Trolley, with a Jolly Rider.
1992: The fixed route is born
The Hastings family launched the Jolly Trolley Fixed Route Shuttle Service with the original trolley in 1992, and they have owned and operated the business ever since. That same seasonal shuttle still runs every summer between Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach, and you can still ride it today from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Today: A family business, five decades on
What began as one trolley is now a full fleet of sedans, vans, buses and classic trolleys operated by the Hastings family through Transit U Inc., providing chauffeured charter transportation for thousands of weddings, special events, airport transfers and tours across southern Delaware and beyond. Meet the family behind the wheel on Our Family page, or see what riders have said over the years in our testimonials.
Become part of the story
Every summer adds new riders, new weddings and new memories to the Jolly Trolley story. Hop aboard the seasonal shuttle, or call (302) 644-0400 to plan your own trip with the original.
