OJAI : City Decides to Buy Diesel-Power Trolley

Despite being awarded a $200,000 federal clean-air grant last year to buy an alternative-fuel streetcar, the Ojai City Council decided to purchase a diesel-powered trolley that could later be converted to natural gas.

The city initially had planned to purchase a combination fuel system that would run off diesel or compressed natural gas as a replacement for the olive green trolley that winds through 7 1/2 miles of the city.

But after more study, staff members determined that compressed natural gas is not a feasible fuel alternative because existing technology has not been perfected.

Staff members told the council in November that either the diesel-natural gas trolley could be purchased or an electric streetcar could replace the existing car, which has more than 160,000 miles on its engine.

Council members at that time, however, rejected the electric-car alternative because the cars also must be air-conditioned. They hoped to buy two diesel trolleys for the price of one dual-fueled or electric car.

Late Tuesday, the council accepted a bid not to exceed $130,000 for one diesel trolley, which will be significantly larger than the existing vehicle. City officials said the proposal still meets the requirements of the federal grant.

The county also is looking into the possibility of financing an extension of the trolley’s route into Meiners Oaks or other nearby communities.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission has scheduled a March 16 public hearing in Meiners Oaks to gauge the interest of residents on extending service to their neighborhoods.