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Ojai Council approves pilot benefit program for trolley drivers to improve recruitment
Summary
Council authorized a one‑year pilot to offer prorated benefits for trolley drivers who work at least 20 hours per week, aiming to expand the driver pool and restore more frequent service. Staff estimates the pilot cost at about $200,000.
The Ojai City Council approved a pilot program to offer prorated benefits to trolley drivers who work more than 20 hours per week, a step city leaders said is intended to recruit and retain drivers and restore more frequent trolley service.
Staff presented the proposal as a one‑year pilot that would create categories for full‑time, three‑quarter and half‑time drivers, with benefits mirrored and prorated from the city’s full‑time package where contract terms allow. Miss Holman, the staff presenter, said some benefits contracts require a minimum 30‑hour threshold for certain coverages; the pilot is intended to test whether offering medical and other prorated benefits will increase the pool of regular drivers.
Miss Holman told the council that the city currently has five regular drivers in its pool and that recruiting new drivers has been difficult because most trolley jobs are structured as part‑time positions under 19 hours per week. The pilot is designed to create predictable schedules for some positions so candidates would have more reliable hours and, where eligible, prorated benefits.
Public commenters who drive or ride the trolley urged the council to approve the plan. Jay Simons, a long‑time Ojai resident and former driver, said the trolley “was on life support” and called for a comprehensive transit plan in addition to the pilot. Bill Miley, a resident and frequent rider, said benefit‑eligible positions would make recruitment “much easier to meet.” Other residents described the trolley as a unique community asset and urged the city to preserve local control of the system.
Council members framed the pilot as a targeted measure to address an immediate staffing need while staff works on longer‑term service and fleet planning. Staff estimated the pilot’s first‑year cost at about $200,000 and said any increase in retirement (PERS/PEPRA) liabilities depends on whether newly hired drivers are already PERS members.
The council unanimously approved a motion to move forward with the pilot and directed staff to return with implementation details, recruitment outreach to the existing driver pool and any contract‑negotiation needs to extend benefits to additional part‑time staff if the pilot proves successful.
Votes at a glance: motion passed unanimously.
