Pink Trolley Guests Enjoy the Ride, and the Guide
by Candy Puterbaugh
Phil Verry’s life is every bit as colorful as the tales he spins aboard Portland’s beloved “Pink Trolley.” With a storyteller’s finesse, he turns a simple sightseeing ride into a memorable journey rich with laughter, learning, and human connection.
“People love a good story!!” Phil says. “I try to blend entertainment and education so my guests can truly feel the city — like the scent of roses in the International Rose Test Garden, or the history that hangs in the air downtown.”
From tales of early pioneers to the grittier truths of Portland’s past, Phil doesn’t shy away from the city’s less-polished chapters. “People are curious — about everything! They want to know about the old Red Light District, the underground tunnels, kidnappings, the gambling halls. But they also ask which concerts are coming up, where locals eat, what’s worth seeing. They’re hungry for connection and adventure.”
Travelers from around the world and longtime locals alike find something new on Phil’s tours. “One guy told me he’d lived here 45 years and never knew half of what I shared! Another said he was on the edge of his seat and wouldn’t hop off until I finished the story.”
The Pink Trolley, operated by Gray Line of Portland, is a bright fixture on the city’s tourism scene. Aboard these charming, 32-seat trolleys — replicas of San Francisco’s classics — guests can hop on and off at 10 iconic sites from Memorial Day to mid- September. Destinations include the Japanese Garden, Oregon Zoo, World Forestry Center, and the trendy Pearl District.
“Classic Trolley of Medford built the trolleys, and we made them pink for a reason,” says David Duncan, general manager and co-founder of Gray Line Oregon. “A portion of every ticket supports breast cancer awareness, reforestation, and clean water efforts. Our guests explore Portland without the hassle of driving — and leave with something deeper.”
As guests board the trolley, Phil greets them with warmth and his gift of gab — shaking hands, asking where they’re from, cracking a joke. “People call me Santa, and it’s not hard to see why! The beard, the belly, the white hair…”
“And the kindness!” chimes in a woman from Ohio, echoed by guests from Germany and Massachusetts.
“I’ve found that a good guide needs to be personable, professional, and able to tell a story for the 600th time!” he says.
He researches and then peppers each route with unexpected gems:
“This area is called Goose Hollow–because geese were once raised here.”
“That statue of Sacajawea in Washington Park? Made in New York. Fourteen tons of copper and a gift.”
“And this submarine right here? It was featured in the movie The Hunt for Red October starring Sean Connery and featured in an episode of Hawaii Five O!”
The real payoff? Phil says it’s the smiles and thank-yous from guests. “Wonderful!” “I loved it!” “You made the city come alive!”
And when the last trolley blends into the blush of an Oregon sunset, Phil heads home to more of his many interests, including puppets — which he brings to life just like the trolley that winds its way around the city and into people’s hearts.
For tickets or to learn more, visit graylineofportland.com.