Fresno City Council debates trolley service changes and potential fairground route

The Fresno City Council convened on June 2, 2025, to discuss the city’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year, focusing on various transportation services, including the trolley system and facility repairs.

The meeting began with a review of the trolley fund, which has seen a significant reduction in budget allocation. Council members expressed concerns about the drop in ridership, particularly on Thursdays, leading to a decision to cut service on that day. The trolley will now operate only on Fridays and Saturdays, along with special Art Hop Thursdays. This change is part of a broader strategy by the mayor to balance the city budget, resulting in a $100,000 reduction in staff costs associated with the trolley service.

Further discussions highlighted a $40,000 decrease in materials and parts funding for the trolley, attributed to reduced service hours. Council members sought clarification on whether these funds were being reallocated to other accounts, which was confirmed by city officials. The maintenance costs for the trolley vehicles remain low, indicating their reliability.

The council also addressed the budget for facility repairs, with $1.14 million allocated for various projects at City Hall, including essential infrastructure updates. However, requests for additional funding for security improvements and repairs to bay doors were not included in the current budget due to financial constraints.

Council member Vang raised the possibility of utilizing the trolley for seasonal events, such as transporting attendees to the Fresno Fair, which attracts over 700,000 visitors. While the idea was met with enthusiasm, city officials indicated that the current budget could not support a two-week trolley service for the fair. They suggested that a one-day service might be feasible, similar to past seasonal operations.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the need for further analysis regarding the feasibility of expanding trolley services for special events. The council expressed a commitment to exploring options that could enhance transportation accessibility while remaining within budgetary limits.