Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ojai approves purchase of two propane trolleys as electric deliveries delay further upgrades
Summary
Council approved purchasing two used propane trolleys to stabilize transit service after manufacturer delays pushed the planned electric trolley delivery to 2026. Council directed staff to pursue state and federal funding for future electrification.
The Ojai City Council approved the purchase of two propane-powered trolleys to replace aging vehicles and stabilize transit service, voting to proceed with the procurement amid ongoing delays for an electric trolley the city has ordered.
Staff told the council two propane trolleys under the proposed purchase agreement are identical in model and fueling to the city’s current fleet. The city currently operates three propane trolleys; two of its vehicles are beyond their useful lives and one trolley already has more than 161,000 miles. Staff said fueling would continue at the Public Works yard under an existing agreement with a propane provider and that the two used units would undergo pre-DOT and DOT inspections by the city mechanic before being placed into service.
Council members discussed the long-term goal of electrifying transit. Staff said an electric trolley the city previously ordered is delayed while the manufacturer retools; delivery is now projected in February 2026, and the manufacture said electrified models remain in production but on an uncertain timeline. Councilmember discussion noted expanded funding sources—federal FTA and state SB125 funds and county-level grants—now appear more accessible; staff said new transit supervision had helped the city capture funding they had not obtained earlier.
Council voted to approve the purchase; the motion passed with no recorded opposition. Staff said the city intends to keep the existing electric trolley in service when it arrives and to use a mix of the electric and propane vehicles to restore a second route and consider supplemental routes once the fleet is stabilized.
Why it matters: The purchase is a near-term solution to maintain local transit service and adds capacity while the city awaits delayed electric vehicles. Council signaled support for electrification in the long term and directed staff to continue pursuing grant funding and to present options for routes and charging capacity planning.
