Yakima Valley Trolley back in operation

YAKIMA, Wash. — At its regular meeting on Jan. 20, the Yakima City Council voted six to one in favor of renewing the Yakima Valley Trolley operating agreement for five years. The Council had postponed the decision at its Dec. 9, 2025, meeting, leaving the trolley association closed as of Jan. 1. In the time between the meetings, the trolley association mounted a significant support campaign in the community and via social media.

The Yakima Valley Trolleys, a nonprofit group, operates trolleys on what remains of the Yakima Valley Transportation Co. and maintains a museum in the trolley barn and adjacent facilities. The city owes the trolley vehicles and infrastructure.

The public comment portion of the Jan. 20 meeting was scheduled for 35 minutes, but was extended to accommodate all 26 registered speakers. Of the 26, 20 voiced support for the operating agreement, one stated the trolley should operate but with no support from the city, and the balance spoke on other issues. One speaker, who appeared through an internet video link, was a British citizen. Andy Gautrey took time from work in Coventry, England, to voice support for the trolleys. “ … I want to highlight how famous the trolleys are worldwide … It is wonderful to see so many locals riding the trolleys and telling their friends. Yakima has something special [in the trolley] and it would be a terrible shame to lose it.”

The lone dissenting vote came from Councilman Rick Glenn, who previously voiced opposition to renewing the trolley operating agreement. Glenn again cited how few people ride the trolley compared to usage of other city facilities like the swimming pools, civic theater, and convention center. He stated that, in his opinion, city funds would be better spent on other services than the trolley. Glenn also questioned the city’s right to continue using what was once a railroad right-of-way and the ability to secure insurance coverage for trolley operation. City staff members explained that the city was able to use the right-of-way and that the trolley operation was insured.

“I think the Council is starting to realize how deep the support runs through the citizenry of Yakima!” stated Ken Johnsen, YVT president, in a Facebook post following the vote. “It is all of you wonderful friends of the trolleys who are helping to keep this historic railroad alive! And, we are not out of the woods yet.”

The YVT has a number of significant issues to address including obtaining National Historic Landmark status, restoring the line to Selah, Wash., approximately 2 miles, and working with the City on planned street reconstruction along the trolley route.

The renewed agreement permits the YVT group to run and maintain the equipment within certain financial parameters. The trolleys operate between Memorial Day and September, plus for special events like Halloween and Christmas. The YVT is also permitted to maintain a museum and provide educational programming.

As part of the operating agreement, the city pays for gas and electricity, water and sewer use, trash removal, and phone, internet and security alarm services. The funds are designated as part of the annual city budget.

The Yakima Valley Trolley was built between 1907 and 1913. Currently about 5 of the original 44 miles remain. Since 1907, a trolley has operated on the line every year. The Union Pacific Railroad purchased the line in 1909 with the idea of expanding the existing system as a freight feeder connecting to its main line. Street car service was terminated in February 1947. The UP abandoned the freight operations in 1985, donating the remaining system to the City of Yakima.

To view the Yakima City Council discussion on the YVT operating agreement, please visit this link. The public comments begin at 04:26 into the meeting. The Council’s trolley action begins at 3:02:59 in the meeting. The proposed operating agreement can be found with the meeting agenda, item 9c.

For more information on the Yakima Valley Trolleys, visit its website or Facebook page.