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City announces restored Sunday trolley service, pilot to study driver benefits and part‑time pay
Summary
City Manager announced Sunday trolley service will resume Aug. 31 using contract drivers from Fillmore Area Transportation; council directed staff to bring back a pilot proposal for driver benefits and to analyze whether the concept should apply to all part‑time city employees.
The City of Ojai announced on Aug. 26 that Sunday trolley service will resume beginning Aug. 31, using contracted drivers supplied by Fillmore Area Transportation on an interim basis. City management said the move follows work to recruit and fill weekend driver slots.
Nut graf: City Manager told the council the return of Sunday service is temporary and will be supported by contract drivers while the city pilots a benefits proposal for trolley drivers. The council directed staff to return with an open‑session pilot proposal that would offer benefits for drivers based on hours worked, with a suggested 20‑hour minimum. Staff will also analyze the cost and implications of extending a similar structure to other part‑time city workers.
In remarks to the council, the city manager noted morale and rider outreach plans, including free trolley t-shirts as a promotional effort, and said he would personally ride shifts to meet drivers and riders. The manager said a contract with Fillmore Area Transportation would supply drivers for the immediate need and that a separate proposal for benefits and any broader part‑time policy will be returned to council in open session.
Ending: Staff will return to a future council meeting with a pilot proposal for trolley driver benefits tied to hours worked and an analysis of the cost of extending similar benefits to other part‑time city employees.
