FLINT, MI -- The Downtown Flint Trolley made its debut Thursday afternoon, Jan. 12.

The 27-passenger, handicap-accessible, environmentally friendly vehicle will offer free rides to attractions in the downtown area three days per week, starting this week.

It was purchased with funding help from Diplomat Pharmacy Inc., and is owned and operated by the Flint Downtown Development Authority with support from Kettering university, Mass Transportation Authority and University of Michigan-Flint.

A kickoff event was held at 4 p.m. in the lobby of the Dryden building downtown before it hit the streets for its first run.

Stops included Flint City Hall and Soggy Bottom Bar on Saginaw Street, as well as the Flint Farmers' Market, Tenacity Brewing, Kettering University and the University of Michigan-Flint.

Route and hours may get adjusted as needed, but as of Thursday, the trolley was scheduled to operate 4 p.m. to midnight on Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturdays.

The goal is to help college students, residents and visitors get in and around downtown Flint, from colleges to restaurants and more.