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The Fresno City Council on Thursday approved spending nearly $900,000 for three buses that will provide trolley service between nightlife hotspots.

The city will contract with Wisconsin-based Hometown Manufacturing for the vehicles that will provide free rides on a circuit that includes Downtown Fresno, the Tower District, Fresno City College and Campus Pointe near Fresno State.

Plans call for the service to operate Thursdays through Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Councilmembers Garry Bredefeld, Mike Karbassi and Luis Chavez opposed the purchase.

Mayor Jerry Dyer proposed the service to reduce DUIs, vehicle burglaries, parking congestion and to promote Downtown Fresno to young people enjoying the nightlife scene.

The annual cost to operate the trolley service is estimated at $325,000.

The next step would be for the Fresno City Council to approve an operating agreement for the trolley system, which would be under the general services department and not part of the FAX system.