DETROIT (WWJ) -- The QLine is about to get moving again.
The M-1 RAIL, the non-profit that operates the downtown Detroit streetcar known as the QLine, says it will reopen to the public on Monday, Sept. 27 after service paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials say there will be no fees for riders for the remainder of the year, as they aim to help support local businesses along the Woodward Corridor.
"QLine's return will help activate the Woodward Corridor as we continue to emerge from the pandemic," M-1 RAIL CEO Matt Cullen said in a press release. "Our riders can expect that the QLine will return from the service pause better than ever and ready to reach its full potential."
The QLine, which opened in May 2017 and served more than 3.3 million passengers in its first year, will run every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to midnight on the weekends.
Officials did not provide any word on COVID-19 protocols for passengers on the QLine.
The QLine has 12 stops along Woodward Avenue, running from Grand Boulevard to Congress Street, with several stations near big attractions, including Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, Techtown, the Detroit Institute of Arts and countless bars and restaurants in Midtown, New Center and downtown.
"We're excited to welcome back riders to the QLine," new M-1 RAIL president Lisa Nuszkowski said in a press release. "Our team is looking forward to providing a great experience on our streetcars and reconnecting people to the places they want to go along the Woodward corridor."
M-1 RAIL officials say they transitioned operations in-house during the COVID-19 service pause and over the last several months, they have rebuilt their management and operations staff and partnered with the Michigan Department of Transportation's State Safety Office to "safely integrate the streetcar back onto Woodward Avenue."
QLine will conduct final testing and complete its staff training over the next several weeks before resuming service.
Downtown Detroit's other rail system, meanwhile, the Detroit People Mover, is reportedly set to resume service on Sept. 3.
