OXNARD : Council Will Consider Tourist Trolley System

Tourist-lugging trolleys may soon be traveling through the streets of Oxnard if a proposal by the city’s tourism bureau is accepted by Oxnard council members.

The Oxnard City Council on Tuesday will consider plans by the Greater Oxnard & Harbors Tourism Bureau to establish a trolley system linking the city’s top three attractions: Channel Islands Harbor, downtown’s Heritage Square, and the Oxnard Factory Outlet mall.

The purpose of the trolley system--which would be similar to the one started last year in Ventura--would be to encourage tourists visiting one city attraction to see the others.

Oxnard Mayor Manuel Lopez said the plan sounds like a good idea.

“It would make sense to get people, once they come in, and take them to all the potential (tourist) places,” Lopez said. “That way, we can get more money out of their pockets.”

Carol Lavender, the tourism bureau’s executive director, said she has spoken to businesses in all three areas and they are in support of the trolley plan.

“The hoteliers and the harbor are all in agreement that this would be a good thing,” Lavender said. “The outlet mall is also very excited--more money for them.”

If the City Council decides to pursue the plan, the tourism bureau would have to find someone to operate the trolley system. Since trolley systems rarely cover their operating costs, Oxnard officials would also need to look for federal funding or other ways to pay for the service, according to a city report.