Chicago officials cut free trolley service

Chicago is ending its free trolley service next year.

The red San Francisco-style trolley cars, heavily used by tourists, stop at several of the city's most well-known attractions like Navy Pier and the Field Museum.

City officials say it's a move to cut costs and estimate a savings of $1.7 million a year.

Last year, over 700,000 riders took the trolley. So far this year, more than 900,000 have taken advantage of the service.

A city survey shows 88 percent of the trolleys' users are visitors to Chicago.

A Chicago Department of Transportation spokesman says the free trolleys are a valuable service, but they're not essential.

The free transportation system was started in 2000. The last day of service is Jan. 4.