UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS
IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
REPORT
FISCAL YEAR
2014/15
FINAL REPORT APPROVED
6/19/2015
PER RESOLUTION NO. 2015-142
The Tulare County Association of Governments
Board of Governors
Janet Hinesly/Mike Smith ………………………………………………………………………...........City of Dinuba
Dale Sally/Mary Waterman ……………………………………………………………………………….City of Exeter
Greg Gomez/Paul Boyer ……………………………………………………………………………City of Farmersville
Pamela Kimball/Ramona Padilla ……………………………………………………………………….City of Lindsay
Virginia Gurrola/Milt Stowe ………………………………………………………………………….City of Porterville
Craig Vejvoda/Maritsa Castellanoz ……………………………………………………………………..City of Tulare
Bob Link/Steve Nelson ………………………………………………………………………………………..City of Visalia
Rudy Mendoza/Francis Ortiz………………………………………………………………………….City of Woodlake
Sharri Bender Ehlert/Gail Miller …………………………………………………………………………………..Caltrans
Dennis Townsend/Luke Feldstein…………………………………………………………………..Member-at-Large
Tyrone Holscher/Bob Stocker ………………………………………………………………..........Member-at-Large
Walter Stammer/Pamela K. Whitmire……………………………………………………….......Member-at-Large
Allen Ishida/Kuyler Crocker ………………………………………………………………………..Supervisor District 1
Pete Vander Poel/William Cushing………………………………………………………........Supervisor District 2
Phil Cox/Bill Whitlach……………………………………………………………………...............Supervisor District 3
J. Steven Worthley/Ray Millard……………………………………………………………………Supervisor District 4
Mike Ennis/Gregory F. Gillett……………………………………………………………………….Supervisor District 5
Cameron Hamilton……………………………………………Representative from a Provider of Public Transit
Tulare County Association of Governments
Professional Staff
Ted Smalley………………………………………………………………………………………….Executive Director
Ben Kimball………………………………………………………………………….....Deputy Executive Director
Ben Giuliani…………………………………………………………………………………Executive LAFCO Officer
Leslie Davis………………………………………………………….Fiscal Manager/Measure R Coordinator
Michele Boling………………………………………………………………………………………………Accountant II
Elizabeth Forte………………………………………………………………………........Senior Regional Planner
Mark Hays…………………………………………………………………………………….Senior Regional Planner
Roberto Brady…………………………………………………………………………......Senior Regional Planner
Derek Winning…………………………………………………………………………Associate Regional Planner
Cynthia Echavarria…………………………………………………………………..Associate Regional Planner
Britt Fussell………………………………………………………………………………………………………Engineer III
Kasia Thompson………………………………………………………………………Associate Regional Planner
Gabriel Gutierrez……………………………………………………………………..Associate Regional Planner
Maria Garcia-Garza…………………………………………………………………..Associate Regional Planner
Brideget Moore……………………………………………………………………………………………….Staff Analyst
Andrea Apolinario……………………………………………………….Transportation Planning Technician
Philip Shabanov…………………………………………………………..Transportation Planning Technician
Doreen Alvez……………………………………………………………………………………Department Secretary
Alyssa Blythe………………………………………………………………………………………….............Secretary I
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I : INTRODUCTION
Transportation Development Act (TDA) Requirements………………………………………1
Social Service Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC)…………………………………...1
SECTION II: Unmet Transit Needs Process
Definitions – “Unmet Transit Need” and “Reasonable to Meet”…………………………....3
Unmet Transit Needs Hearing Schedule...……………………….…………………………..5
SECTION III: Existing Conditions
Size and Location of Groups Likely to be Dependent on Transit…………………………..7
General Population Estimates for Tulare County…………………………………………...7
Assessment of Transit Dependency by Elderly………………………………………..........8
Assessment of Transit Dependency by Disability…………………………………………10
Assessment of Transit Dependency by Income (Persons of Limited Means)……………..12
Analysis of Transportation Services in Tulare County…………………………………….14
Additional Transportation Services and Assistance………………………………………..18
Adequacy of Existing Services……………………………………………………………..19
Farmworker Vanpool Program Analysis…………………………………………………...19
SECTION IV: Outreach & Public Hearing
Unmet Transit Needs Public Outreach….……………………………………………………23
Unmet Transit Needs Poster (English/Spanish)……………………………………………....24
Unmet Transit Needs Poster with comment card (English/Spanish) ………………………...25
Outreach to Social Service Agencies in Tulare County………………………………….…...26
Public Hearing in Visalia (pictures)…………………………….…………………………….34
Public Hearing in Porterville (minutes)……………………………………………………….35
Public Hearing in Porterville (pictures)……………………………………………………….39
Table – Unmet Transit Needs comments ………………………………………………..........40
SECTION V: Analysis of Unmet Transit Needs Comments
SSTAC Meeting – Review Unmet Transit Needs Comments………………………………...49
Unmet Transit Needs Findings………………………………………………………………..57
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1 Population of Primary Communities in Tulare County……………………………
Figure 2 Elderly Population for Tulare County……………………………………………..
Figure 3 Senior Population Density for County of Tulare…………………………………..
Figure 4 2013 American Community Survey Disability Estimates…………………………
Figure 5 Persons with Disabilities in Tulare County………………………………………..
Figure 6 2013 American Community Survey Poverty Status……………………………….
Figure 7 Low-Income Population Density within Tulare County…………………………..
Figure 8 Countywide System Map…………………………………………………………..
Figure 9 CalVans Tulare County Origins by City…………………………………………...
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13
Figure 14
CalVans Employment Destinations………………………………………………..
CalVans Tulare County Destinations………………………………………………
Poster “Your Vision, Your Ride”…………………………………………………..
Poser “Your Vision, Your Ride”…………………………………………………....
APPENDIX A
SECTION I: INTRODUCTION
As required by the California Transportation Development Act (TDA) Tulare County Association
of Governments (TCAG), as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency and the Metropolitan
Planning Agency for Tulare County, is required to identify any unmet transit needs that may exist
in the Tulare County region. If an unmet transit need is identified then a further determination
must be made to determine whether those needs are “reasonable to meet”. In accordance with the
TDA regulations, the TDA funds must first be allocated to any unmet transit needs which are
found reasonable to meet before any funds can be allocated to local jurisdictions for non-transit
purposes. At a minimum, TCAG shall annually do all of the following:
SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COUNCIL (SSTAC)
1. TCAG shall provide for the establishment of a social services transportation advisory
council (SSTAC) to participate in the identification of unmet transit needs and determine
whether those identified needs are reasonable to meet. The social services transportation
advisory council shall consist of the following members:
(a) One representative of potential transit users who is 60 years of age or older.
(b) One representative of potential transit users who is handicapped.
(c) Two representatives of the local social service providers for seniors, including one
representative of a social service transportation provider, if one exists.
(d) Two representatives of local social service providers for the handicapped, including
one representative of a social service transportation provider, if one exists.
(e) One representative of a local social service provider for persons of limited means.
(f) Two representatives from the local consolidated transportation service agency,
designated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 15975 of the Government Code, if
one exists, including one representative from an operator, if one exists.
(g) The transportation planning agency may appoint additional members in accordance
with the procedure prescribed in subdivision (b).
(h) Members of the social services transportation advisory council shall be appointed by
the transportation planning agency which shall recruit candidates for appointment
from a broad representation of social service and transit providers representing the
elderly, the handicapped, and persons of limited means. In appointing council
members the transportation planning agency shall strive to attain geographic and
minority representation among council members. Of the initial appointments to the
council, one-third of them shall be for a one-year term, one-third shall be for a twoyear term, and one-third shall be for a three-year term. Subsequent to the initial
appointment, the term of appointment shall be for three years, which may be
renewed for an additional three-year term. The transportation planning agency may,
at its discretion, delegate its responsibilities for appointment pursuant to this
subdivision to the board of supervisors.
2. TCAG must ensure the establishment and implementation of a citizen participation process
appropriate for Tulare County and utilize the SSTAC as a mechanism to solicit the input of
transit dependent and transit disadvantaged persons, including the elderly, disabled, and
persons of limited means.
3. TCAG must adopt the definition of the terms “unmet transit needs” and “reasonable to
meet” with a resolution.
4. Hold at least one public hearing which is scheduled to ensure broad community participation
and, if possible, the locations of the hearings shall be rotated among the various
communities within TCAG’s jurisdiction.
5. Consult with the SSTAC members and analyze those transit needs using TCAG Board’s
adopted definition of “unmet transit needs” and reasonable to meet” (adopted definitions
provided on Pages ______ and ______ of this report).
6. TCAG must adopt a resolution a finding regarding transit needs that may be reasonable to
meet. The TCAG Board will make one of the three possible findings:
(a) There are no unmet transit needs,
(b) There are no unmet transit needs that are reasonable to meet, or
(c) There are unmet transit needs including needs that are reasonable to meet
If TCAG adopts a finding that there are unmet transit needs, including needs that are reasonable to
meet, then the unmet transit needs shall be funded before any allocation is made for streets and
roads within Tulare County.
SECTION II: Unmet Transit Needs Process
As required by TDA before Local Transportation Funds (LTF) could be allocated for other nontransit purposes a finding must be made by TCAG Board that there are no unmet transit needs that
are reasonable to meet. To comply with this requirement, TCAG has established a process to seek
public input on any unmet transit needs that exist within Tulare County. TCAG adopted definitions
for “unmet transit needs” and “reasonable to meet” through Resolution No. 2014-112 on February
18, 2014. A copy of the resolution is located in Appendix A. The definitions adopted by TCAG for
“unmet transit need” and “reasonable to meet” are shown below.
DEFINITIONS – “UNMET TRANSIT NEED” and “REASONABLE TO MEET”
Tulare County
Unmet Transit Need Definition and Criteria
“Unmet Transit Need”: An unmet transit need, as identified during Tulare County Association of
Governments annual Unmet Transit Needs Process, exists where public transit services are not
currently provided for persons who rely on public transit to conduct daily activities. At a minimum,
an unmet need must be identified by substantial community input through the public hearing
process or identified in a Short Range Transit Plan, Coordinated Transportation Plan, or the
Regional Transportation Plan and has not yet been implemented or funded.
“Reasonable to Meet”: Following is the TCAG definition of "Reasonable to Meet” including the
recommended benchmarks for the passenger farebox recovery ratio for new transit services in
Tulare County. An unmet transit need shall be considered “reasonable to meet” if the proposed
service is in compliance with all of the following criteria, as each are applicable:
Equity
1. The proposed service will not require reductions in existing transit services that have an
equal or higher priority.
Timing
1. The proposed service is in response to an existing rather than future transit need.
Feasibility
1. The proposed service can be provided with available TDA funding.
2. The proposed service can be provided with the existing fleet or under contract to a private
provider.
Performance
1. The proposed service will not unduly affect the operator's ability to maintain the required
passenger fare ratio for its system as a whole.
2. The proposed service will meet the scheduled passenger fare ratio standards as described in
the recommended benchmarks for the passenger farebox recovery ratio for new transit
services in Tulare County.
3. The estimated number of passengers to be carried will be in the range of similar services,
and/or, the proposed service provides a "link" or connection that contributes to the
effectiveness of the overall transit system.
4. The proposed service must be safe to operate and there must be adequate roadways and
turnouts for transit vehicles. The proposed service must have potential providers that are
available to implement the service.
Community Acceptance
1. The proposed service has community acceptance and/or support as determined by the unmet
needs public hearing record, inclusion in adopted programs and plans, adopted governing
board positions and/or other existing information.
Notes:
1. Per state law, the lack of available resources shall not be the sole reason for finding that a
transit need is not reasonable to meet.
RECOMMENDED BENCHMARKS FOR PASSENGER FAREBOX RECOVERY RATIO FOR NEW
TRANSIT SERVICES IN TULARE COUNTY.
The state has established a basic requirement in Section 99268 of the Public Utility Code for all
proposed transit services in urban areas (the Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville Urbanized Areas). This
requirement is to achieve a 20% passenger fare ratio by the end of the third year of operation. A
similar targeted passenger fare ratio of 10% exists for special services (i.e. elderly and disabled,
demand-response) and rural area services. If a provider is granted a blended farebox recovery,
performance levels should be adjusted accordingly.
TCAG has established more detailed interim passenger fare ratio standards, which will be used to
evaluate services as they are proposed and implemented, which are described below. Transit serving
both urban and rural areas, per state law, may obtain an "intermediate" passenger fare ratio.
END OF TWELVE MONTHS OF SERVICE
Performance Level
Urban Service
Special/Rural Service
Less than 6%
Less than 3%
6% or more
Recommended Action
Provider may discontinue service
Provider will continue service,
with modifications if needed
________________________________________________________________________
END OF TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS
Performance Level
Urban Service
Special/Rural Service
Recommended Action
Less than 10%
Less than 5%
Provider may discontinue service
10% or more
3% or more
5% or more
Provider will continue service, with
modifications, if needed.
________________________________________________________________________
END OF THIRTY-SIX MONTHS
Performance Level
Urban Service
Special/Rural Service
Less than 15%
Less than 7%
15-20%
20% or more
7-10%
10% or more
Recommended Action
Provider may discontinue service
Provider will continue service, with
modifications if needed
Provider will continue service, with
modifications if needed
SCHEDULE FOR UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS PROCESS
The unmet transit needs process is a year round process. TCAG staff accepts comments throughout
out the fiscal year. A schedule of the Unmet Transit Needs year long process is detailed below.
January
1. Staff begins contacting local groups and initiating transit needs outreach
February
1. Notice of hearing printed notifying the public that Monday, March 16, 2015 is the date of
the Unmet Transit Needs hearing in Visalia at 1:00 p.m. and in Porterville at 5:30 p.m. The
notice includes TCAG’s telephone number, fax number, physical address, email and
TCAG’s website information. The notice Posters (bilingual – English/Spanish) with
comment cards attached soliciting comments for unmet transit needs were distributed
throughout Tulare County. In addition the posters were placed on the buses of the transit
systems that operate within Tulare County.
2. Also send written notification to those persons and organizations, which have indicated,
through its citizen participation or any other source of information, an interest in the subject
of the hearing.
March
1. TCAG staff collects and records all comments received prior to the public hearing.
2. March 16, 2015 the public hearing is held to accept public testimony on the unmet transit
needs within Tulare County at 1:00 p.m. in Visalia and at 5:30 p.m. in Porterville.
Interpreter available to allow Spanish speaking individuals to provide comments and to
allow Spanish speaking individuals in the public to fully participate.
3. Deadline to submit transit requests is March 31.
April
1. Comments are compiled and sent to each transit provider for consideration.
2. TCAG Staff reviews comments internally.
May
1. SSTAC meeting scheduled for May 19, 2015 to review comments received and transit
provider’s responses.
2. SSTAC determines if there are any “unmet transit needs” and if there are “unmet transit
needs that are reasonable to meet”.
June
1. TCAG Board reviews all requests and whether the unmet transit needs are “reasonable to
meet”. TCAG adopts a resolution with the findings:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
There are no “unmet transit needs",
There are no “unmet transit needs” that are “reasonable to meet”, or
There are “unmet transit needs”, but they are not “reasonable to meet” at this time, or
There are “unmet transit needs” that are “reasonable to meet”.
July
1. Prepare documentation for submittal to Caltrans.
August
1. TCAG staff submits annual unmet transit needs documentation to Caltrans.
September
1. If any unmet transit needs are found reasonable to meet confirm transit provider is developing plans
to implement service.
SECTION III: Existing Conditions
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Pursuant to California Public Utilities Code Section 99401.5, the following sections provide a brief
analysis of Sections 1 through 4 as part of the unmet transit needs assessment process.
Size and Location of Groups Likely to be Dependent on Transit
As required by the TDA unmet transit needs finding, TCAG must identify the transit needs of our
county as part of the transportation planning process. This group would include but is not limited to,
the elderly, the handicapped (including individuals eligible for paratransit and other special
transportation services pursuant to Section 12143 of Title 42 of the United States Code (the federal
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 12101, et seq.)) and persons of limited
means, including, but not limited to, recipients under the CalWORKs program.
This assessment looked at the following transit-dependent population groups:
 Elderly – Individuals who are age 60 to 65 years or older:
 Disabled – (as defined by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)) a person who has a
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a
person who has a history or record of such impairment, or a person perceived by others as
having such as impairment; and
 Persons of Limited Means – individuals who are defined by the federal government as
having an income below the poverty threshold
General Population Estimates for Tulare County
While the eastern half of Tulare County is mountainous and relatively unpopulated, the western half
boasts a combined population of nearly 500,000 persons dispersed across several small to mediumsized cities separated by vast agricultural lands. US 99 bisects the western half of the county and
provides regional connections to Fresno to the north and Bakersfield to the south. The majority of
the county’s population is situated east of US 99 and west of the Sierra Nevada foothills. The
primary central cities of Visalia, Porterville, Tulare, Lindsay, and Exeter are connected by State
Roads 63, 65, 137, 198 and CR J20. The northern communities of Dinuba and Cutler-Orosi are
connected by CR J40 and SR 63. The highest population densities are concentrated in Visalia,
Tulare and Porterville. Moderate Population densities are present in Dinuba, Cutler, Orosi,
Farmersville, Exeter, Lindsay, and Strathmore. Cities with a population of over 5,000 are listed in
Figure 1.
There are six incorporated cities within Tulare County. As indicated in Figure 1 below, Visalia is
the largest city with 127,763 people, accounting for 28% of the county’s total population. Tulare is
the second largest city with a population of 61,170, accounting for 13% of the county’s total
population. Porterville accounts for 12% of the county’s population and Porterville is the third
largest city with a population of 55,174.
Population of Primary Communities in Tulare County
Figure 1
City
Visalia
Population
127,763
Porterville
55,174
Tulare
61,170
Dinuba
23,347
Lindsay
12,974
Cutler- Orosi
13,770
Farmersville
10,720
Exeter
10,489
Earlimart
8,537
Woodlake
7,619
Source: US Census, 2013 Estimate
Assessment of Transit Dependency by Elderly
The TDA indicates that the elderly are likely to be transit dependent. Some of the transit providers
in Tulare County provide a discount to elderly riders and identify those riders at 60 years and some
transit providers identify them at 65years. Therefore in this section an age range of 60 to 65 is used
to identify the elderly. According to the 2010 Census, within Tulare County 60,177 individuals are
identified as elderly, accounting for 13.6% of the County’s total population. As Figure 2 shows
below the unincorporated area of the county has the largest population of elderly at 32.3%, followed
by Visalia at 28.1%, the cities of Tulare and Porterville account for 26% of the elderly population.
The cities of Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Woodlake and Lindsay account for 14% of the elderly
population.
Figure 2
ELDERLY POPULATION FOR TULARE COUNTY
Unincorporated
32.3%
Lindsay
2.7%
Woodlake
1.6%
Farmersville
Dinuba
2.4%
4.9%
Visalia…
Tulare
13.41%
Porterville
12.25%
Exeter
2.34%
Source: 2010 Census, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: Table DP-1
Figure 3 below, indicates that the senior population density mirrors the pattern of Tulare County’s
general population. The largest concentrations occur in Visalia, Porterville, and Tulare. The main
noticeable difference is that the senior population tends to locate closer towards the urban core of
each city. Other urban areas with notable concentrations of senior populations include Dinuba,
Sultana-Orosi-Cutler, Exeter, and Lindsay.
Senior Population Density for County of Tulare
Figure 3
Assessment of Transit Dependency by Disability
American Community Survey (ACS) 2013 is able to identify those individuals with a disability
living in Tulare County. According to the 2013 ACS the total civilian noninstitutionalized
population of Tulare County is 442,333; of this population there are 47,392 persons with a disability
in the county, which is 10.7% of the county population. As indicated in Figure 4 below, the 2013
ACS estimated that 28.3% of the county’s disabled population live in Visalia, 26.93% of the
county’s total live in Tulare and Porterville. The remaining cities of Lindsay, Woodlake,
Farmersville, Dinuba and Exeter account for 13.23% of the county’s total disabled population. The
remainder of the population includes all the unincorporated areas which account for 31.54% of the
disabled population.
Figure 4
2013 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY DISABILITY ESTIMATES
Unincorporated
31.54%
Tulare
14.23%
Lindsay
2.06%
Woodlake
1.47%
Farmersville
2.54%
Visalia
28.3%
Porterville
12.7%
Dinuba
4.76%
Exeter
2.4%
Source: American Community Survey, 5-year Estimates (2009-2013)
Disability Estimates Table S1810
Figure 5 below indicates the population density of the disabled population. The population patterns
of persons with disabilities within Tulare County are visibly similar to that of the senior population,
with even more concentration within the core of urban areas. Visalia is the largest incorporated city
and has the largest population of disabled persons. Tulare and Porterville are very close in size per
population and also have a similar disabled population. Woodlake has the smallest population and
therefore also has the lowest population of disabled persons. Dinuba, Exeter, Lindsay and
Farmersville each have a disabled population commensurate with their population.
Persons with Disabilities in Tulare County
Figure 5
Assessment Transit Dependency by Income (Persons of Limited Means)
The American Community Survey (ACS) provides a 5-year (2009-2013) breakdown of poverty
status for Tulare County. They have indicated that the population for whom poverty status is
determined in Tulare County is 440,509, of this total population the survey estimates that 115,313
persons are below the poverty level; therefore 26.2% of the county’s population were identified as
persons on limited means. The City of Visalia accounts for 20.6% of the county’s total population
of persons of limited means. The cities of Tulare and Porterville combined have 23.5% of the
County’s total population of this group. The other five cities of Exeter, Farmersville, Dinuba,
Lindsay and Woodlake account for 17.4% of this population, with the unincorporated areas
accounting for 38.5% of the population. Figure 6, below, provides a further breakdown of the
estimated percentage of persons of limited means living within Tulare County.
Figure 6
2013 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY POVERTY STATUS
Visalia
20.6%
Unincorporated
38.5%
Tulare
11%
Porterville
12.5%
Lindsay
4.5%
Woodlake
1.7%
Farmersville
3%
Exeter
2.7%
Dinuba
5.5%
Source: 2013 American Community Survey, 5-Yr. Estimate (2009-2013): Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months Table S1701
The highest densities of households below poverty are found in Tulare, Lindsay, Porterville, central
Visalia, in the north part of the County near Dinuba, Orange Cove, and Sultana, and to the South in
Allensworth. In these areas over half of all households are below the poverty line. The areas with
lower densities of households below poverty include Cutler, east Porterville, and Goshen. Figure 7
below provides a visual overview of the low-income population density in Tulare County.
Low-Income Population Density within Tulare County
Figure 7
ANALYSIS OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES IN TULARE COUNTY
TULARE COUNTY TRANSIT PROVIDERS SERVICE AREA MAP
FIXED ROUTE
Figure 8 Countywide System Map
The County of Tulare is currently being served by four transit providers with fixed route service and
Dial-A-Ride. Two of the cities only provide Dial-A-Ride service. TCAG has hired a consultant to
prepare a Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) for Tulare County. The goals of the LRTP are to
improve regional mobility, including transit improvements at the local, countywide, and regional
levels. The LRTP is under way and a state of the system report was completed in November 2015.
The report provided a comprehensive evaluation of the design, allocation, and performance of
transit service in Tulare County. In addition it provided a countywide transit overview, regional
transit, and local transit options in Tulare County. (To the extent possible, data gathered as part of
this process has been incorporated into this report.) Figure 8 above provides a summary in map
format of the Countywide fixed route public transit services prepared as a part of the LRTP
The five transit providers currently operating in Tulare County with fixed route and Dial-A-Ride
service are as follows:
 City of Visalia – Visalia Transit and Visalia Dial-A-Ride
 City of Tulare – Tulare InterModal Express (TIME) and Tulare Dial-A-Ride
 City of Porterville – Porterville Transit and Dial-A-COLT
 City of Dinuba – Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART) and DART Dial-A-Ride
 County of Tulare – Tulare County Area Transit (TcaT) and TCaT Dial-A-Ride
The following cities provide Dial-A-Ride service:
 City of Exeter – Exeter Dial-A-Ride
 City of Woodlake – Woodlake Dial-A-Ride
CITY OF VISALIA
Visalia Transit – System Overview
Visalia Transit operates thirteen fixed routes, consisting of regular local routes, one downtown
circulator, and one intercity route jointly operated with Tulare Intermodal Express (TIME).
The fixed-route system operates seven days a week, with weekday service running between 6 a.m.
and 10:30 p.m., and weekend service between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Dial-A-Ride service within the city
limits of Visalia operates Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.
to 9:30 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All
routes (aside from Route 12) begin and end at the Visalia
Transit Center on the corner of East Oak Street and North
Bridge Street. Here riders can connect to two TCaT routes (10
and 30) with service to other cities in Tulare County.
Systemwide ridership in Visalia increased from 2009 to 2012, reaching 1,853,165 boardings in the
2012 fiscal year, then dropping to 1,637,037 for the 2013 fiscal year.
January 2014 service changes included a change in service frequency for Routes 3 and 8A/8B (from
30 to 45 minutes), increased weekend service on Route 6, and new weekly passes. August 2014
service changes included the elimination of express service from Route 1A/1B, schedule
adjustments to Routes 6, 7, and 12, and fare increases for fixed-route (from $1.25 to $1.50) and
demand-response service.
CITY OF TULARE
TIME – System Overview
Tulare Intermodal Express (TIME) operates six fixed routes within Tulare and East Tulare, and one
jointly-operated fixed route with Visalia Transit. Weekday service occurs between 6:30 a.m. and 10
p.m. Saturday service operates between 9 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Dial-a-ride service is offered Monday
to Friday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Over the past five fiscal years,
annual fixed-route ridership increased from 346,825 to 447,718 (FY 13/14), with a slight drop in
FY 12/13. Ridership has increased an average of 7% each year since 2009. The most recent service
changes include the addition of evening service during weekday hours and slight reconfiguration of
various route alignments.
CITY OF PORTERVILLE
Porterville Transit – System Overview
Porterville Transit operates nine fixed routes along with dial-a-ride service within the city limits of
Porterville. The fixed-route system operates seven days a week, with weekday service running
between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m., and weekend service between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Six of the routes
operate at 40 minute frequencies seven days a week, with the remaining three operating at 60 to 80
minute frequencies. All routes begin and end at the Porterville Transit Center on the corner of West
Oak Avenue and North D Street. Here riders can connect to five TCaT routes (40, 60, 70, 80, 90)
with service to other cities in Tulare County.
Systemwide ridership in Porterville has seen a steady increase since 2010, reaching 625,461
boardings in the 2013 fiscal year. Ridership has increased an average of 7% each year since 2009.
The December 2012 service change included the addition of Route 9 with service to the Tulare
Indian Reservation. In July 2012, weekday service span was extended to 10 p.m. Several farerelated changes were made in July 2013, including an increase in fixed-route and demand-response
fares and the introduction of daily, monthly, reduced, and student passes. Sunday service was also
added in July 2013.
COUNTY OF TULARE
TCaT – System Overview
Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT)
operates nine fixed routes that connect areas
within the county. The four intercity routes
connect communities throughout the county.
These routes operate seven days a week
with service running from morning to
evening with frequencies ranging from 35 to 90 minutes. Weekend service for these routes runs
from late morning to early evening, with each route operating three to six bi-directional trips. TCaT
also operates five local circulator routes and offers dial-a-ride service to members of the general
public within four service areas in the county.
Systemwide ridership has seen a steady increase over the past five fiscal years, with nearly 350,000
annual boardings in 2013.. Ridership has increased an average of 25% each year since 2009.
Boardings per hour are highest on the North County and Southeast County routes.
CITY OF DINUBA
DART – Dinuaba Area Rural Transit
Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART) operates two flexroute services with dial-a-ride components, one circulator
(Jolly Trolley), and one fixed-route regional service (Dinuba
Connection). During the previous five fiscal years,
systemwide ridership has seen an increase from 107,044 in
2009 to 145,766 in 2013. Ridership increased an average of
8% between 2009 and 2013; however it has been relatively
flat for the two most recent years for which data was
available. The bulk of ridership can be attributed to the Jolly Trolley, a fare-free downtown
circulator that carried nearly the same number of riders as the flex routes and fixed route combined.
All routes begin and end at the Dinuba Transit Center on the corner of East Merced Street and
North M Street.
CITY OF WOODLAKE
Woodlake Dial-A-Ride
Woodlake Dial-A-Ride provides door-to-door service
within the city limits of Woodlake and some
unincorporated areas of Tulare County only. Ridership
has increased slightly over the past five years; an
average of 4% a year
CITY OF EXETER
Exeter Dial-A-Ride
Exeter Dial-A-Ride provides door-to-door service within the city limits of Exeter only. Ridership
has trended downward over the past five years, with an average decline of 12% a year.
ORANGE BELT STAGES
Orange Belt Stages operates two intercity fixed-routes using 54-foot coach buses that make several
stops in Tulare County. The routes connect Las Vegas, Barstow, Boron, Mohave, Tehachapi,
Bakersfied, Ducor, Terra Bella, Porterville, Strathmore, Lindsay, Exeter, Farmersville, Visalia,
Goshen and Hanford. The route operates one daily round-trip between Las Vegas and Visalia and
two daily round-trips between Visalia and Hanford. Orange Belt Stages operates seven days a week,
365 days a year. Fares vary depending upon the destination. Some of the buses are ADA equipped.
If anyone needs wheelchair assistance they have to call 24 to 48 hours in advance. TCaT cash fare
subsidy program is available for trips that originate and end within Tulare County. A rider pays the
TCaT fare of $1.50 to ride Orange Belt Stages instead of the regular fare if they qualify for the
subsidy program.
GREYHOUND
Greyhound bus serves stations in Tulare, Goshen, Visalia, and Delano. Services include daily trips
to Fresno, Bakersfield, and Hanford. Stop locations in Tulare County include Visalia, Ducor,
Farmersville, Exeter, Lindsay, Strathmore, Porterville, Terra Bella, and Goshen via the BakersfieldHanford Route and Delano, Tulare, Goshen (select trips) and Visalia via the Bakersfield-Fresno
route.
Additional Transportation Services and Assistance
In addition to the seven public transit providers there are several social service agencies that offer
assistance in paying for transportation services for their clients. There are two agencies that offers
transportation services to their clients because their clients have special needs that are unable to be
serviced by the public transit services.
Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) provides a variety of social services to
the residents within Tulare County. They provide help to seniors, children in foster care, prenatal
and postnatal care to women and children and they also provide help to families on public
assistance. HHSA offers a wide range of health related services to children, adults and seniors. In
addition, HHSA will offer vouchers or tokens for their clients to use on the existing public transit
systems.
Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (KTAAA) provides information about programs and services
available to seniors and their caregivers. They were developed to serve the most economically and
socially needy, K/T AAA coordinates a wide range of community-based services to address a
variety of needs for seniors. K/T AAA has a comprehensive data base of community resources to
provide assistance when seniors need help with Medicare counseling, home-delivered means,
writing a will, finding a caregiver, finding employment, fighting off depression or with
transportation assistance.
Community Services and Employment Training (CSET) provides assistance to Tulare County
residents by providing education and training. They help their clients find work, provide job
training and develop youth leadership skills. When needed they also provide tokens to their clients
so they can use public transit to get to and from work and to training programs.
Porterville Sheltered Workshop (PSW) is a social service agency that provides a variety of services
to developmentally disabled residents. They provide service to all of Tulare County, Northern Kern,
Southern Fresno and Eastern Kings County. They offer services to persons with mild to profound
disabilities. They provide work training, assistance with finding employment, and independent
living skills training. PSW operates a full range of wheelchair accessible vans and buses to meet
individual transportation needs to and from their programs.
Able Industries is a social service agency that provides work training and community
crew/employment services for adults with disabilities. It also has a Life Skills Learning Center
which addresses the life skill needs of adults with more severe disability issues. Able Industries
provides transportation to its clients with moderate to severe developmental disabilities, many with
ambulatory, behavioral and medical challenges. They require constant supervision from trained
Direct Care Staff and are unable to use public transit.
ADEQUACY OF EXISTING SERVICES
The “adequacy” of existing public transportation services and specialized transportation services is
a subjective term that TCAG does not address in the adopted definition of unmet transit needs.
TCAG has an unmet transit needs process which reviews any public comments received with the
SSTAC members and our existing transit providers. TCAG meets with the SSTAC every quarter to
evaluate the adequacy of the region’s current transit operations and further identify any unmet
transit needs that may or may not be reasonable to meet. The region’s public transit operators and
social service agencies continue to cooperatively adjust their services to feasibly meet any identified
unmet transit need throughout the year.
FARMWORKER VANPOOL PROGRAM ANALYSIS
There exists within Tulare County a vanpool program that services the needs of the farmworkers
that reside within the county. The California Vanpool Authority (CalVans) is a ridesharing service
that is tailored to the needs of commuters who cannot travel between home and work with local
fixed-route or demand-response service. The program in its current form grew out of a pilot project
known as the Agricultural Industries Transportation Services (AITS) in Kings County, targeted at
providing safer transportation options for farm workers. The CalVans program operates across
multiple counties, with over 200 vanpools serving commuters and 150 serving farm workers.
Currently, there are 95 vehicles that provide service to workers who live or work in Tulare County,
with a total capacity of 625 passengers. While the majority of vans in Tulare County operate out of
Visalia (Figure 9), Porterville is the second highest origin of vanpools. The primary employment
destinations are correctional facilities in Corcoran and Delano, including California State Prison and
Kern Valley State Prison (Figure 10). In total nearly 70% of vanpools starting or ending in Tulare
County serve correctional institutions. Other destinations include several state, medical, and
agricultural employers. Figure 11 shows the original and destination pairs for existing CalVans.
Figure 9
CalVans Tulare County Origins by City
Origin
Capacity
Vans
Percent Total Capacity
Visalia
731
52
55%
Porterville
191
14
15%
Tulare
105
9
9%
Dinuba
60
4
4%
Orosi
60
4
4%
Orange Cove
45
3
3%
Cutler
30
2
2%
Lindsay
30
2
2%
Springville
30
2
2%
Exeter
15
1
1%
Reedley
15
1
1%
Selma
15
1
1%
Figure 10
CalVans Employment Destinations
Employer
City
Vans
Capacity
California State Prison
Percent Total Capacity
Corcoran
17
223
18%
Kern Valley State Prison
Delano
13
192
14%
California State Abuse and Treatment Facility
Corcoran
12
173
13%
North Kern State Prison
Delano
10
144
11%
Pleasant Valley State Prison
Coalinga
7
105
7%
Coalinga State Hospital
Wasco
3
45
3%
Avenal State Prison
Avenal
3
45
3%
IRS
Fresno
4
32
4%
Wawona Packing
Cutler
2
30
2%
Mission Ventures
Dinuba
2
30
2%
Armona School
Armona
2
30
2%
YNT Harvesting
Dinuba
1
15
1%
Wasco State Prison
Wasco
1
15
1%
WMJ Famrs
Dinuba
1
15
1%
Valley Farm Service
Dinuba
1
15
1%
Sierra Labor
Reedley
1
15
1%
Rivas
Dinuba
1
15
1%
Pixley Elementery
Pixley
1
15
1%
Monarc Del Valley
Dinuba
1
15
1%
Mc Clurry Farms
Selma
1
15
1%
Margret Gonzales
Orosi
1
15
1%
Employer
City
Vans
Capacity
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Percent Total Capacity
Lemoore
1
15
1%
Latino Farm Labor
Visalia
1
15
1%
JA FarmLabor
Orosi
1
15
1%
Family Ranch
Avenal
1
15
1%
Cream of the Crop
Bakersfield
1
15
1%
AGR Contracting
Porterville
1
15
1%
Fresno
Fresno
1
15
1%
Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group
Fresno
1
8
1%
CalVet (Veteran Affairs)
Fresno
1
8
1%
DMV-Fresno
Fresno
1
7
1%
The majority of vanpool trips starting or ending in Tulare County cross the County line. Common
origins or destinations outside of the County include Fresno, western Kings County, Corcoran
(Kings County), and Delano. There are also numerous shorter trips in northwest Tulare
County/south Fresno County.
Figure 11
CalVans Tulare County Destinations
SECTION IV: OUTREACH AND PUBLIC HEARING
Unmet Transit Needs Public Outreach
There was an extensive outreach effort for the 2014/15 Unmet Transit Needs process. TCAG had
posters placed on all transit buses, at transit centers and at bus stops where possible. One of the
posters had stamped, self-addressed comment cards which any member of the general public could
complete and mail in to TCAG with their comment. A copy of the comment card is located in
Appendix A. They were also mailed to a number of social service agencies, public libraries, local
grocery stores and several other locations. TCAG sent out announcements via social media
(Facebook and Twitter).
Community partners were sent a letter soliciting them to spread the word about the unmet transit
needs hearing and providing them with a poster to display in their office. In addition they were
formally informed of the two public hearings. A copy of the letter that was sent to the community
partners is in Appendix A.
Notice of the Public Hearing was placed in a newspaper of general circulation in the cities of
Visalia, Dinuba and Porterville. The Visalia Times Delta and the Porterville Recorder have Spanish
editions of their paper; in addition TCAG translated and posted public hearing notices in Spanish in
these papers as well. A copy of the public notices in English and Spanish are located in Appendix
A.
These posters were prepared in English and Spanish and distributed to several social service organizations for posting at their agency.
Figure 12
Unmet Transit Needs Posters (English/Spanish)
The poster below was distributed to all the area providers of transit for posting in their fixed route and Dial-ARide buses. These posters contained the stamped, self-addressed comment cards and were written in English
and Spanish. Several social service organizations received these posters as well.
Figure 13
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS POSTER WITH COMMENT CARD (ENGLISH/SPANISH)
OUTREACH TO SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES
TCAG maintains a listing of all the social service organizations that have expressed an interest in transit issues or are a member of the SSTAC. A
listing of all the agencies that received one or both of the posters is shown below. The agencies are listed by city or unincorporated community.
Figure 14
City of Visalia Addresses
Current as of 2/23/2015
VISALIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
220 N SANTE FE STREET
VISALIA CA 93292
TULARE COUNTY LIBRARY
200 W OAK AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
ANTHONY COMMUNITY CENTER
345 N JACOB STREET
VISALIA CA 93291
VISALIA EMERGENCY AID COUNCIL
P.O. Box 651
VISALIA CA 93279
VISALIA CITY HALL- WEST
707 W ACEQUIA
VISALIA CA 93291
CENTRAL VALLEY REGIONAL CENTER
5441 W CYPRESS
VISALIA CA 93277
COLLEGE OF THE SEQUOIAS-BOOKSTORE
915 S MOONEY BLVD
VISALIA CA 93277
VISALIA MEDICAL CLINIC
5400 W HILLSDALE DRIVE
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
2800 W BURREL
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
P.O. Box 5091
VISALIA CA 93278
VISALIA CONVENTION CENTER
303 E ACEQUIA
VISALIA CA 93291
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
215 W TULARE AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93277
FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
VISALIA CENTER
245 N PLAZA DRIVE
VISALIA YOUTH SERVICES
711 N COURT ST, SUITE B
VISALIA CA 93291
INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM
132 N VALLEY OAKS DRIVE
VISALIA CA 93292
R-N MARKET
737 S LOVERS LANE
VIALIA CA 93292
ABLE INDUSTRIES
8929 W GOSHEN
VISALIA CA 93291
VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
3112 N DINUBA BLVD
VISALIA CA 93291
SELF HELP ENTERPRISES
8445 W ELOWIN CT
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE WORKS
1845 N DINUBA BLVD
VISALIA CA 93291
VISALIA RESCUE MISSION
500 E RACE AVE
VISALAI CA 93292
R & R LIBRARY
7000 W DOE AVENUE SUITE C
VISALIA CA 93291
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
400 E OAK AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
PARENTING NETWORK
1900 N NUBA BLVD SUITE C
VISALIA CA 93291
TCOE-SEE VISALIA YOUTH
626 N AKERS
VISALIA CA 93291
VISALIA SENIOR CENTER
310 N LOCUST
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH
3300 S FAIRWAY
VISALIA CA 93277
VISALIA LERANING CENTER
630 S ATWOOD DR
VISALIA CA 93277
PROTEUS-VISALIA
224 N 3RD ST
VISALIA CA 93291
CSET-VISALIA
312 NW 3RD AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
501 N BRIDGE STREET
VISALIA CA 93291
FAMILY SERVICES
815 W OAK AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
4025 W NOBLE AVENUE SUITE B
VISALIA CA 93277
VISALIA ADULT SCHOOL
3110 E HOUSTON AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93292
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY COLLEGE
8344 WEST MINERAL KING AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
1901 E NOBLE AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93292
DEL SOL MARKET
3615 W NOBLE AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93292
THE CREATIVE CENTER
606 N BRIDGE STREET
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT
2900 W BURREL
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY PROBATION OFFICE
100 E CENTER AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93291
VISALIA KTAAA
4031 W NOBLE AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93277
VISALIA WIC
1819 N DINUBA BLVD
VISALIA CA 93211
KAWEAH DELTA MENTAL HEALTH
1100 S AKERS ROAD
VISALIA CA 93277
HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1100 W MAIN
VISALIA CA 93292
CASA
1146 N CHINOWTH STREET
VISALIA CA 93291
VISALIA GLEANING SENIORS
28600 RD 156
P.O. BOX 387
400 N. Church Street
VISALIA CA 93291
PRO-YOUTH HEART
VISALIA CA 93291
INDEPENDENT STUDY
1821 W MEADOW LANE
VISALIA CA 93277
ALPAUGH KTAAA
VISALIA ADULT INTEGRATED CLINIC (MENTAL
HEALTH)
C/O VISALIA KTAAA
4031 W NOBLE AVENUE
520 E TULARE AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93292
CSET-EARLIMART
EARLIMART LIBRARY
P.O. BOX 1350
312 NW 3RD AVENUE
VISALIA CA 93279
VISALIA CA 93291
GOSHEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
6505 AVENUE 308
VISALIA CA 93291
TURNING POINT OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
201 N COURT ST
VISALIA CA 93291
FHCN
401 E SCHOOL AVE
VISALIA CA 93291
TULARE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
11200 AVE 368
VISALIA CA 93291
MANUEL F HERNANDEZ COMMUNITY CENTER
247 W FERGUSON AVE
VISALIA CA 93291
WHITENDALE COMMUNITY CENTER
630 W BEECH
VISALIA CA 93292
City of Tulare Addresses
Current as of 2/23/2015
TULARE EMERGENCY AID COUNCIL
299 S L STREET
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
220 E TULARE AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE PUBLIC LIBRARY
475 NORTH M STREET
TULARE CA 93274
CITY OF TULARE SENIOR COMMUNITY CENTER
201 NORTH F STREET
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE ADULT SCHOOL
575 W MAPLE AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
304 E TULARE AVE
TULARE CA 93274
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
115 E TULARE AVE
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE WIC/TULAREWORKS
458 EAST O'NEAL AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
UNITED WAY
1601 E PROSPERITY AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
869 N CHERRY STREET
TULARE CA 93274
KINGS VIEW SUBSTANCE ABUSE
P.O. BOX 688
TULARE CA 93275
TULARE HILLMAN HEALTH
1062 SOUTH K STREET
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU
327 S K STREET
TULARE CA 93234
TULARE CITY HALL
411 EAST KERN AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
WAUKENA JOINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
19113 ROAD 28
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC
TURNING POINT OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
R-N MARKET
VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
TULARE SEE
TULARE CITY HALL
1101 N CHERRY ST
113 S M STREET
948 NORTH H STREET
1043 E BARDSLEY AVE
1111 N CHERRY ST
3442 E BARDSLEY AVE
411 EAST KERN AVENUE
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
TULARE CA 93274
City of Porterville Addresses
Current as of 2/23/2015
PORTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
41 W THURMAN AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
93 N MAIN STREET SUITE A
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE COLLEGE
100 E COLLEGE AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
CSET-PORTERVILLE
1061 W HENDERSON AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
TULARE COUNTY EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
1063 W HENDERSON AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PROTEUS INC
54 N MAIN STREET SUITE 10
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE SENIOR CENTER
280 N FOURTH ST
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE ADULT DAY SERVICES
227 E OAK AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
SIERRA VIEW MEIDCAL CENTER
465 W PUTNAM
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
1107 W POPLAR AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB-PORTERVILLE
344 E MORTON AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE SHELTERED WORKSHOP
194 W POPLAR
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
26501 AVENUE 140
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
VALLEY CARE CENTER
661 W POPLAR
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE WIC
1055 WEST HENDERSON SUITE 5
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION ONE STOP CENTER
1063 W HENDERSON AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
TULAREWORKS
1055 W HENDERSON SUITE 3
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
TCOE-SEE PORTERVILLE
1414 W OLIVE AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE TRANSIT CENTER
61 W OAK AVENUE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE CITY HALL
291 N MAIN STREET
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
PORTERVILLE SEE
525 N MAIN ST
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
VALLARTA SUPERMARKET
305 E OLIVE AVE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
KINGSVIEW
409 N MAIN STREET
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
TULARE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
300 E OLIVE AVE
PORTERVILLE CA 93257
City of Dinuba Addresses
Current as of 2/23/2015
CITY OF DINUBA-RECREATIONAL CENTER
TULARE COUNTY LIBRARY-DINUBA
BRANCH
1390 E ELIZABETH WAY
DINUBA CA 93618
150 SOUTH I STREET
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA VOCATIONAL CENTER
199 NORTH L STREET
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
210 NORTH L STREET
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA SENIOR CENTER
437 NORTH EATON AVENUE
DINUBA CA 93618
RUIZ FOODS
ATTN ANITA CROTTY
501 S ALTA AVENUE
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA RURAL HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
420 E EL MONTE WAY
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA WIC
1433 E EL MONTE WAY
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA CITY HALL
405 E EL MONTE WAY
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA ADULT SCHOOL
1327 EAST AVENUE 416
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA HEALTH CARE CENTER
1451 E EL MONTE WAY
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA MUNICIPAL COURT
920 SOUTH COLLEGE
DINUBA CA 93618
TULARE WORKS
1066 N ALTA AVE
DINUBA CA 93618
PROTEUS YOUTH SERVICES
TULARE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT
400 W TULARE ST
640 S ALTA AVE
DINUBA CA 93618
DINUBA CA 93618
City of Exeter Addresses
Current as of 2/23/2015
sses
20
EXETER CITY HALL
137 NORTH F STREET
TULARE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY-EXETER BRANCH
230 E CHESTNUT AVENUE
EXETER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
101 W PINE STREET
EXETER HEALTH CLINIC
1014 SAN JUAN AVENUE
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF THE SEQUOIAS
1003 SAN JUAN AVE
EXETER CA
93221
EXETER CA
93221
EXETER CA
93221
EXETER CA
93221
EXETER CA
93221
City of Farmerville Addresses
Current as of 02/23/2015
FARMERSVILLE CITY HALL
909 W VISALIA ROAD
FARMERSVILLE HEALTH CARE CENTER
ATTN SOCORRO
FARMERSVILLE CA 93223
660 E VISALIA ROAD
FARMERSVILLE CA 93223
FARMERSVILLE SENIOR CENTER
444 N GENE AVENUE
FARMERSVILLE CA 93223
FARMERSVILLE WIC
175 E FRONT STREET
FARMERSVILLE CA 93223
FHCN
730 N FARMERSVILLE BLVD
FARMERSVILLE CA 93223
City of Lindsay Addresses
Current as of 02/23/2015
LINDSAY CITY HALL
251 E HONOLULU STREET
LINDSAY CA 93247
LINDSAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
133 W HONOLULU STREET
LINDSAY CA 93247
LINDSAY PUBLIC LIBRARY
157 N MIRAGE AVENUE
LINDSAY CA 93247
LINDSAY HEALTH CARE CENTER
845 N SEQUOIA AVENUE
LINDSAY SENIOR CENTER
ATTN AMY MURPHY
LINDSAY CA 93247
911 PARKSIDE AVENUE
LINDSAY CA 93247
TULARE WORKS
900 SEQUOIA AVENUE
LINDSAY CA 93247
LINDSAY WIC
248 N HWY 65
LINDSAY CA 93247
MCDERMONT FIELD HOUSE
365 N SWEETBRIAR AVENUE
LINDSAY CA 93247
Cutler-Orosi, Earlimart, Ivanhoe,
Three Rivers, Strathmore, Pixley,
Springville
Current as of 2/23/2015
OROSI LIBRARY
12646 AVENUE 416
OROSI CA 93647
CSET-OROSI
12384 AVENUE 416
OROSI CA 93647
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
12586 AVE 408
OROSI CA 93647
CUTLER/OROSI SENIOR CENTER
12690 AVE 408
OROSI CA 93647
R-N MARKEY
12760 AVENUE 416
OROSI CA 93647
FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER SCHOOL
40802 ROAD 128
CUTLER CA 93615
EARLIMART SENIOR CENTER
P.O. BOX 602
EARLIMART CA 93219
EARLIMART WIC
782 E WASHINGTON STREET
EARLIMART CA 93219
EARLIMART LIBRARY
P.O. BOX12153
EARLIMART CA 93219
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
33025 ROAD 159
IVANHOE CA 93235
IVANHOE LIBRARY
15964 HEATHER
IVANHOE CA 93235
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB
15892 AZALEA AVE
IVANHOE CA 93235
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
41651 SIERRA DRIVE
THREE RIVERS CA 93271
THREE RIVERS LIBRARY
42052 EGGERS ROAD
THREE RIVERS CA 93271
PIXLEY LIBRARY
300 NORTH SCHOOL
PIXLEY CA 93274
STRATHMORE LIBRARY
19646 ROAD 230
STRATHMORE CA 93267
SPRINGVILLE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE
SPRINGVILLE LIBRARY
35627 CALIFORNIA SUITE 190
P.O. BOX 459
35800 HWY 190
SPRINGVILLE CA 93265
TRAVER JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT
P.O. BOX 69
36736 CANAL DRIVE
TRAVER CA 93673
ALPAUGH LIBRARY
P.O. BOX 69
3816 AVENUE 54
ALPAUGH CA 93201
KINGS RIVER UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT
3961 AVENUE 400
KINGSBURG CA 93631
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
31180 ROAD 72
VISALIA CA 93291
TERRA BELLA LIBRARY
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORK
P.O. BOX 442
9416 ROAD 238
TERRA BELLA CA 93270
TERRA BELLA CA 93270
TIPTON LIBRARY
301 E WOODS AVENUE
TIPTON CA 93272
SPRINGVILLE CA 93265
City of Woodlake
ADDRESSES
Current as of 2/23/15
WOODLAKE LIBRARY
400 W WHITNEY AVE
WOODLAKE CA 93286
WOODLAKE SENIOR CENTER
179 N MAGNOLIA STREET
WOODLAKE CA 93286
WOODLAKE WIC
250 E ANTELOPE STREET, SUITE F
WOODLAKE CA 93286
WOODLAKE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
264 N VALENCIA BLVD
WOODLAKE CA 93286
WOODLAKE FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
168 N VALENCIA
WOODLAKE CA 93286
WOODLAKE CITY HALL
FAMILY HEALTH CARE NETWORKWOODLAKE
350 N VALENCIA BLVD
WOODLAKE CA 93286
201 E LAKEVIEW AVE
WOODLAKE CA 93286
PUBLIC HEARINGS
As required by TDA regulations TCAG is required to conduct at least one public hearing to allow transit riders,
social service agencies and the general public an opportunity to submit potential unmet transit needs. TCAG
conducted two public hearings on March 16 in Visalia at 1:00 p.m.at the TCAG Board Meeting and the other
one in Porterville at 5:30 p.m. in the Porterville Sheltered Workshop meeting room. The two hearings were
conducted in English and in Spanish. For those individuals that were unable to attend the public hearings,
TCAG staff accepted comments via telephone, fax, e-mail, mail and through the TCAG website up until March
31, 2015. A copy of the Staff Report that was prepared for the Public Hearing is available in Appendix A.
Comments were received this year from 89 individuals. There were 110 comments received in total from the
public hearings and received via mail, fax, telephone, the TCAG website, and other means. Below are several
pictures from the Visalia Public Hearing held at the TCAG Board meeting. A copy of the Unmet Transit Needs
opening statement is in Appendix A.
PUBLIC HEARING IN VISALIA
PUBLIC HEARING IN PORTERVILLE
The public hearing held in Porterville took place at the Porterville Sheltered Workshop. In addition to the
public hearing a workshop was held to solicit comments from the people attending for use in the Southeast
Mobility Plan. This report was focused on addressing gaps in the mobility options available to transit reliant
populations including low-income residents, students, the disabled community, and seniors living in
Southeast Tulare County. The meeting minutes for the Porterville Public Hearing are included below.
Meeting Minutes Porterville Public Hearing
Meeting Date: Monday, March 16, 2015 (Unmet Needs)
Location: Porterville Sheltered Workshop, Porterville, CA 93257
Present: Ted Smalley, Elizabeth Wright, Andrea Apolinario, Lucia Reyes and Alyssa Blythe
I.
Information 2014/15 Unmet Transit Needs
Ms. Apolinario: Okay, we are going to go ahead and read the opening statement. This is the time and
place scheduled for a public hearing to gather information from the community regarding unmet
public transit needs that may exist within Tulare County. The Transportation Development Act of
1972 established a Local Transportation Fund, and created the State Transit Assistance Fund in 1979.
The Tulare County Association of Governments, acting as the Regional Transportation Planning
Agency for Tulare County, has been designated as the organization responsible for administering
these funds. The California Administrative Code requires that a public hearing be held to gather
information regarding unmet public transit needs before any monies can be allocated from the Local
Transportation Fund for the purpose of streets and roads. Today's hearing is being held to meet that
requirement. If you wish to submit testimony before this Board, please come forward and identify
yourself and any agency or group you are representing. You should also identify the transit agency to
which your comments pertain. If you are identifying a need, or a reasonable means of meeting a need,
please be as specific as possible. In the interest of time, if your information is supportive of a
previous speaker's testimony but adds no new information, please make your presentation as brief as
possible by referring to any previous statements. Three minutes will be allowed for each comment;
time used for translation will not count against time allowed. Prior to leaving the hearing please
provide your name, address, and telephone number to the TCAG Clerk, Alyssa, please raise your
hand, Alyssa, so we may contact you if there are any questions regarding your unmet needs request.
Elizabeth Wright: Okay, and before we start the hearing, just to let you know we have two things
going on tonight. A public hearing to get your comments and that’s what we are asking you to do
now and we are also having a little workshop we are doing about this area and some plans and things
we are working on to get some input for you if you can stay around after you make your comments
we will be doing that as well. If you have a card, you can give it to me, if you don’t have a card you
can still can come up and make your comments and you have about three minutes.
II.
Public Hearing: 2014/15 Unmet Transit Needs
Public Comments opened at 5:40 p.m.
Elizabeth Wright: We can start with Brad Higinbotham. You can come up here or you can sit, that’s
fine if everyone can see you.
Brad Higinbotham : Hi, my name is Brad and I come from a school in….
Alyssa Blythe: I’m sorry, can you please state your name and address.
Brad Higinbotham : That’s right she did say to say to do that. My name is Brad Higinbotham.
Alyssa Blythe: Okay, your address?
Brad Higinbotham : 36001 Rd. K3 M, Muncos, Colorado 81328.
Elizabeth Wright: It’s also on the form.
Alyssa Blythe: Thank you.
Brad Higinbotham: I am from a school group in Southwestern Colorado and these are some of our
students here with us. We have been coming to this area and this is the 5th year we have come and we
are always hosted by Quinto Sol and Irma who will we will hear from in a little bit. I am not going to
pretend to know the needs of this place because we come for about a week or so every year and we
learn a lot from Irma. So the things I am going to say are mainly to reinforce what you’ll hear Irma
saying in a few minutes. But the reason why we come is to get involved with the migrant working
issues that are taking place in your community. Why did we choose this area? Because we found
Irma. And so we started coming here for the last few years. We have a little project that we like to
get Irma help us make a presentation that will help us save water which I will tell you at the end when
I have about 20 seconds left. But the things we have noticed since coming and that is all what I want
to talk to you about the unmet transit needs is when we work with the migrant working communities
of Tonyville and Tulyville and Plainview, it feels like there are things the communities have or don’t
have maybe that we notice the people have maybe in Visalia or Farmersville and that would be
sidewalks and lighting and maybe some of the roads are a little bit bouncy and our school bus can
only bounce so many times before it loses a wheel or something so I imagine the people in the
communities would be concerned about that. We have also in these years seen a bunch of cool things
happen because we have been to three of these meeting with Irma in Visalia. The first time we came
they asked for shelters for sun or for shade to be placed where the buses stop. And the next year we
came stuff happened and that was a pretty cool thing to see and we watched Irma get up and in the
next year we watched her say thank you and we realized we were in the presence of a someone who
could take action and make things happen. That is because of people who were willing to listen. If
our message of an outside perspective can be helpful than I just offered that and the last thing I will
say in my last twenty seconds, if I still have time that much time left to invite you or maybe just one
of you to come and be a part of the presentation in which we do, which is not necessary a transit
issue but an issue that certainly concerns this community in a drought and we always bring …you
look familiar to me maybe I have said this before to you, but we present the human manure
composting system a way to compost excrement that is really cheap just in 5 gallon buckets and it
turns it into safe usable soil instead of flushing it that down the with your precious water you can use
it without the use water. So we are doing a presentation tomorrow night at Irma’s house at 380 W.
Greg Street in Farmersville and around right around 5 o’clock.
Unknown: She said 6.
Brad Higinbotham: Okay, so maybe 5:30 or 6, but if you come early we will have hamburgers for
you and then will be happy to share with you the idea which might be very valuable to the community
ion the coming days or years or weeks. Sorry if I went over my three minutes. That’s why I am here.
Elizabeth Wright: Irma, ready to come up?
Irma Medellin: Good Afternoon, my name is Irma and I live in 380 W. Farmersville, CA is my new
address because before I lived in Lindsay. My organization is El Quinto de sol de America and we
work in unincorporated communities Tonyville, Tulyville, El Rancho, Plainville and Lindsay,
because in Lindsay we have our office. For more than ten years we have worked in those
communities and every year, I don’t remember how many years we have attended these unmet
meetings because in unincorporated communities we have a lot of necessities. And especially because
you know that I think that the county don’t have enough money to invest for this community but they
don’t have the necessities muy grande and a big necessity in the communities. But I write something
because sometimes I forget to say. On the Quinto del Sol, we work in unincorporated communities
such as Tonyville, Tuleville, El Rancho, Plainville, Lindsay…and now we start another in
Farmersville, because that is my new home. I am here today representing the community members
that who will not be here today. I want to make sure that you keep these communities and mine when
you are making these new grand proposals _. Some of these communities are lacking for safety
especially in the wintertime. Also in Plainview on the edge of Row 196 and Ave. 196, we need
sidewalks in order to for the children to walk safety. Los otros, we will be submitting a letter with
public comments by the communities with a specific churches near. And we would like to work on
the necessities of the communities, But we want to be sure you continue include these communities in
the future projects. Because I say I work with day every day and I know the necessities, big
necessities. And in the past sometimes the workers of the county say we do not know how to
communicate with these communities. But let me tell you something, we work with them and try to
make a serious engagement so bring the people together and then form _ _ a community and now
very activos and they try to let the counties know what the necessities are in the community. So again,
I am the director of El Quinto de sol America based in Lindsay and our address in Lindsay is and we
want to continue to work on this and continue to come to the meetings. And I want to say
something. It is the first time we came up like this on meetings like this, Always something like this
where we sit in front of you. And it feels good because it gives you the confidence to say the things
that we have wanted and we hope to continue working with you. Thank you.
Elizabeth Wright: I have a slip from Ernesto Teran
Ernesto Teran: Hello to everyone my name is Erasto Teran my address is` 450 W. Springville
Drive., Porterville, CA. I have lived here in Porterville all my life and I have seen the transit has been
improving because I use the transit every day, I work in Visalia. But we need to improve it in certain
ways that all the community gets everything it needs, for example Route 8 why we do not have a
hourly, like the one Route 9 every hour that goes to the casino, for the use of Porterville. We need to
improve the service to the East, the East needs to have more infrastructure, sidewalks, roads like you
know that they are already approved the well for the water there. Two weeks ago I was in
Sacramento testifying about the program we have here in Porterville. But that is not what we are here
for now but everything is connected. Because if we have all the services that the community needs,
we have a better life. Like I say I been here in Porterville all my life and great, I think Porterville
transit is one of the best around. I use personally ride the bus every day to work from Porterville to
Visalia. The other thing is Route 40, Route 40 needs to be improved for the buses. Like today, I came
from Visalia and the bus was full of people, students from COS and people who worked in the area
and some people couldn’t fit and they had to come in the bus. I don’t know if having new buses, I
don’t know the budget now but the real thing is we need more and more service. I ride the bus and I
can you tell every day how many people ride the bus and how many people use the bus and are
waiting for the bus. In Tonyville and Highway 65 and COS, everywhere, Route 40 needs to be
improved. In the summer it is very very hot in the bus and in the winter is very very cold. Because
sometimes the heater or the air conditioner is not working. So in the future that type of bus to
improve the service. That’s what I need to tell you and to continue fixing the city transit. It is great
you, you guys changing new busses; it is more comfortable than the old ones. I will keep riding the
bus.
Elizabeth Wright: Excuse me, sir can I ask a question? On Route 8, at the beginning, what were
you saying for the improvements that are needed?
Ernesto Teran: To have more hours.
Elizabeth Wright: Similar to Route 9?
Ernesto Teran: Yes. And you can see the hours.
Elizabeth Wright: I wanted to make sure I got it.
Alyssa Blythe: May I ask for your Full name and address
Ernesto Teran: Erasto Teran – 450 W. Springville Drive., Porterville, CA.
Alyssa Blythe: Thank you
Ernesto Teran: So if you need questions, how many people ride the bus? You ride the bus right?
How many from the public ride the bus to see every day to see how everyday works? No one right? I
invite you all of you one day to get your jeans and hat and go see for yourself and see what I am
talking about. Thank you.
II.
CLOSING COMMENTS
Elizabeth Wright: Do we have anyone else who would like to come up and make a comment? No?
Okay, seeing no more comments we will end the public hearing part of our meeting tonight. You can
still submit comments in writing if there is something you did not want to come up and speak to our
office and Alyssa has forms you can fill out if you want to submit in writing. We will take
comments through March 31 if you know of anyone who wasn’t here.
Public Comments closed at 6:00 p.m.
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS HEARING IN PORTERVILLE
COMMENTS RECEIVED FOR 2014/15 UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS PROCESS
The following table contains all of the comments received during the 2014/15 Unmet Transit Needs
process. The comments are divided by the transit system being referenced. In the case where more than one
transit system is responsible both agencies are listed under those comments. There were a total of 110
comments received from 89 individuals this year. Appendix A contains the staff report and an overview of
the outreach efforts that were undertaken for this year’s unmet transit needs process..
Tulare County Association of Governments
Unmet Transit Needs
Fiscal Year 2014/15
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS COMMENTS RECEIVED BY
MARCH 31, 2015
TRANSIT SERVICE REQUESTS BY TRANSIT AGENCY
Number of
Requests
Visalia Transit
1. Can there be an express route to Goshen a few times a day?
2. Another bus on Route 3 in Visalia, more frequently than every 45 minutes.
3. We would like a bus that goes down Demaree please!
1
1
1
4. Need a city bus to go down Demaree. I work between Tulare and Walnut, I have to catch
1
the bus 5 or 4 to get close to my job. There are no buses that go down Demaree at all.
5. Please provide routes from Visalia to Fresno, at least one or two times a week.
1
6. Get an express Route 1 in Visalia to Government Plaza during holidays please.
1
7. He rides Route 6 from Goshen in the morning and stated that when he arrives at 1
the Transit Center Route 9 has already departed. He also believes that there are two
Route 9s.
1
8. No smoking near bus or on platform at transit center. Or bus stops.
9. Bus schedules posted and replaced when obscured by graffiti.
1
10. On stop #4B Mooney and Tulare near Surf Thru car wash never has posted
schedule.
11. On #4B do not turn on Noble at Court. Continue on Court to Marriott and
Convention Center stops (makes more sense, most people disembark at Noble
Court stop and walk to the post office and/or Main Street and hospital).
1
1
12. Need crosswalks near stops e.g. #5A & 5B, #9A & #9B, at Mary’s Vineyard. Near
COS at 4A to 4B west of Mooney. And 1A & 1B near Taco Bell across from Walmart.
13. Why does Visalia make you pay twice for one trip in town? It’s not my fault I
have to get out and switch a bus to get from one place to another. That’s how they
set the buses up but it’s still just one trip. That’s not normal. You usually get a
transfer ticket when you have to switch. We should get one.
14. Bus service needs to become more frequent in order to better serve the needs
of riders. Though perhaps not currently economically feasible, every 15 minutes
should be a goal the city works toward.
15. I ride Visalia Route 8. It is very convenient. There are 5 stops near my house I
can get to. It takes me to where I need to go, including shopping. I really like it.
1
1
1
1
Visalia Transit and TCaT
16. I wish there was a better discount bus pass for disabled for the whole month for
TCaT and for Visalia.
1
Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT)
17. I live in Traver and use Route 50 up to 3 times a week. The next stop from Traver is in
Delft, about two blocks south of Road 400. Kingsburg is about 5 to 6 miles from Traver, but
since it is in Fresno County and Traver is in Tulare County, there is no service from Traver to
Kingsburg. If Route 50 was to take Road 36 to Road 400 it would be about 2 miles away
from Kingsburg, not a great distance. It could stop there and take 400 on the way to Delft.
Kingsburg has KCAPS, a charitable organization that helps the poorer people of the area; I
am sure people from Delft, London, and even Dinuba would appreciate being able to get
there for assistance. Also, being able to get to Kingsburg means people could catch the
southeast bus line that travels to Fresno. I believe the most this would add to the route is
10 to 15 minutes, but would greatly help the people in our area.
18. I currently reside in Plainview and have been since January 2010. We would please like
to be included in this plan in action. Plainview needs many improvements. Some include:
sidewalks, lights throughout the streets, and drainage. A very important one for the
children is a community park. I myself have children and that would be great for Plainview.
A more often scheduled routed bus so people can use their cars less and ride the bus more
would also be very convenient. Thank you for your time.
19. I would like you to include Strathmore in your transportation plan. I am a senior who
needs transportation services because I can’t walk to the bus stop. The bus stop is too far
from where I live and my feet get tired really easy.
20. Parent contacted TCAG on February 25, 2015 requesting a student discounted
bus pass for the City of Lindsay. She recommended a student discounted pass for
TCaT bus because her daughter, current high school student, rides the bus 5 days a
week. Her experience with the punch pass is that it is too expensive. She mentioned
that the pass only allows her daughter to ride the bus 6 times during the week and
then she has to purchase another punch pass averaging her a cost of $75.00 a
month.
21. She also asked to extend weekend service hours for TCaT buses in the City of
1
1
1
1
1
Lindsay because she lives on the very outskirts of Lindsay and has to walk on
weekends for her grocery shopping.
22. I work for CWS and a lot of our clients are coming from Terra Bella and
Springville. Can we get more buses to Routes 70-90 during business hours? It’s hard
for them to make it to their appointments.
23. TCaT Saturday schedule Route 40 needs more trips on Saturdays.
1
1
24. I live way out in the country, when I would call and ask questions about TCaT,
1
either they didn’t know or had no idea when it would be by my house. (Porterville)
25. (Translated) I always ride the bus, and the bus is always late and really 1
expensive. It’s cheaper to go to Visalia than here in Lindsay. To go to Visalia its
$1.50 and in Lindsay its $2.25, how is this? Bad service and really expensive, thank
you.
26. Bus service, besides only once at least before 10:00. (Terra Bella)
1
27. We need TCaT to Terra Bella more than 2 times a day, or even maybe on
Saturday-Sunday people out here have a hard time with only 2 times a day and it
being only Monday through Friday.
28. I wish they would run or should I say operate in 40 minute cycles. (Orosi)
29. My name is Roger Rojas from Porterville CA and I ride the TCaT Route 40 from
Porterville to Visalia round trip Monday through Friday. I like the bus service, my two
concerns are that the last TCaT leaves Visalia Government Plaza at 6:45 p.m. I would like
the last bus TCaT Route 40 heading to Porterville to leave at 6:55 p.m. if possible.
30. And second if there was no bus service to COS Tulare Campus after 5:00 p.m. 95% of
the time no riders get picked up at this stop.
31. Is there any way possible to have extended services on Route 10? By late service, I
mean bus transportation after 10 or 10:15 p.m. The thing is, if a person is going to be
enrolled in evening classes some don't get out until 10 p.m. And if a person wants to get in
to the very early morning classes before work hours, they must be at the College of the
Sequoias before 6 a.m. as that is when classes start. So, my questions are - is it possible to
and will you (like this season) provide this service?
32. Is there any possible way that Route 10 could have its schedules coinciding? Example, if
a passenger needs to go to/from Seville/Yettem on the 7:40 bus is there a way the driver
leaving Visalia could time the drive to Orosi/Dinuba with the Seville/Yettem bus? The same
goes for the 9:36 bus in Seville. We were stuck having to go all the way to Dinuba then
returning on that same route to end up in Visalia after 11 a.m. instead of being able to
connect with the bus going straight to Visalia.
33. Is it possible that the drivers can park behind each other or on the same side of the
street so passengers do not have to cross a busy street where they may be hit by oncoming
vehicles that choose not to stop. (Seville/Yettem)
34. Also, to the Seville/Yettem area we don't receive any weekend transportation. Is it
possible to include us on the regular weekend service that is provided to the Cutler, Orosi,
and Dinuba area? This would make it possible to attend religious services, farmers market,
and theatre events at COS and around the area. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Look forward to hearing good news and super results.
35. The bus system is good. (Orosi)
36. (Translated) I would like to see more buses run so that there may be more bus
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
service availability, thank you. (Orosi)
37. (Translated) I would like for the bus to come to my home for when I have a doctor
1
appointment. I rely heavily on public transportation because I do not own vehicle. (Parlier)
38. (Translated) I would like for the bus to run every 30 minutes. (Orosi)
1
39. (Translated) I like the bus service, but I would like to see more buses run throughout
1
the day for more availability. (Cutler)
40. (Translated) There is a 15-20 minute waiting period on the phone for information
regarding the Lindsay bus schedule. Delays her on her appointments. She hopes that her
waiting period can be 5 minutes or less. It is not the Greenline, it’s the TCaT/Lindsay line at
800-431-9711. (Lindsay)
41. Have more service areas and pick up locations for seniors that don’t drive to go to
Visalia. (Dinuba)
42. The bus is so good. Going to the doctor and the ride to see the view is a good ride.
(Orange Cove)
43. I live in Lindsay, California. I am disabled and I cannot get a Medicaid card. I have a
Medical card which the Social Security Department has issued me and I have my disabled
veteran’s card- neither of which affords me the same privilege as the Medicaid card.
Nobody has told me why, as a handicapped individual and especially a veteran, I have to sit
and go the long route while others don’t. I am not going to be issued three cards nor do I
want to have to carry a card around that identifies me as a disabled person. (Lindsay)
44. I am a medically retired transportation mechanic from Visalia City Coach. Individuals
who ride the bus should take into account the trouble that a mechanic has trying to keep a
fleet of buses going in any city with the amount of personnel they have. I only had two
assistants on the p.m. shift and we were running over 15 buses and 7 dial-a-ride buses. It’s
tough to do; the work gets done but there is lack of appreciation for the service of those
buses. Everyone blames the mechanic. It’s a tough job. (Lindsay)
45. I live in Earlimart and first of all I’d like to thank you. For the last year I have been riding
the TCaT system. Obviously I am here in Visalia and that is something I could not have done
before the system came into place. I thank you for supplying transit for the disabled. I have
a few minor complaints. TCaT has a shorter bus and a longer bus. On the short bus we
(wheelchair riders) are put on the side and it works fine. On the longer bus there is a
bumper seat right next to us and that takes up space. If another chair comes on next to me
there is always collision of chairs. I have never seen anyone ride the two-passenger bumper
seat the whole year I have been riding the bus. I would like to have those removed so that
you can fit two chairs properly in that space. (Earlimart)
46. Also, you give a discount of 75 cents from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., when it’s actually 2:30
p.m. sometimes. I would like to see the discount all day long. If I use the punch pass where
they mark off 75 cent squares I am sometimes overcharged because the driver thinks it’s
3:00 p.m. but it’s about 2:30 sometimes. (Earlimart)
47. When I rode the dial-a-ride bus here today I felt that bus hit every bump. The shocks
are shot and every time you hit a bump it bounced and so did I. Better maintenance would
be nice. (Earlimart)
48. I am here to address the transit needs for Lemon Cove and Three Rivers. At this time
TCaT only comes three times a day for transportation to Visalia. It comes at 6:00 and 10:00
in the morning and comes back at 3:00 p.m. The last bus to take us home is at 6:30 p.m. I
have over 70 signatures from residents of Lemon Cove. No one rides the bus anymore
because you have to wait 5 hours in between buses. If you have a 9:00 appointment you
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
70
have to get up at 5:00 to ride the 6:00 bus to make your appointment. Then if you’re not
done by 10:00 a.m. you have to wait until 3:00 p.m. to go home. The bus used to run every
two hours with the Woodlake run. A lot of people who work ride that bus and they have to
sit and wait for hours to go home. The bus is less expensive for the disabled and elderly and
a lot of the older women have signed this petition because they would love to go shopping
in Three Rivers or Visalia but they don’t because they can’t wait that long for the bus. We
are asking that you have the bus run every two hours rather than five. (Lemon Cove)
49. If you want to go anywhere on the weekend it doesn’t run at all; there is no
transportation from Three Rivers or Lemon Cove on the weekends. People who work can’t
go shopping on their day off and they have to find a ride; a lot of people can’t afford the gas
anymore. We are asking that you consider replacing the weekend route. (Lemon Cove)
50. Hi there my name is Pedro Carrillo. I live in Yettem and I am emailing you to let you
know about the need for a weekend route out there. I ride the TCaT pretty much on a daily
basis. On weekends I have to walk from the vinery on Avenue 384 to Yettem, which is about
two miles away from my house. It is difficult for me to walk because of my cerebral palsy. In
the past TCaT did a deviation, but they are no longer wanting to do them anymore. I really
hope there is a route out there soon and I would really appreciate it. (Yettem)
51. I am from a school group in Southwestern Colorado. This is the fifth year we have been
coming to this area and we are always hosted by El Quinto Sol and Irma. We have noticed
things since coming here and working with the migrant working communities of Tonyville,
Tooleville, and Plainview. We have been to three of these unmet needs hearings with Irma.
The first time we came they asked for shelters for shade to be placed where the buses stop.
The next year we came we saw that stuff happened and that was a pretty cool thing to see.
We watched Irma get up the next year and say thank you and we realized we were in the
presence of someone who could make things happen.
52. My name is Irma and I live in Farmersville, California. My organization is El Quinto del
Sol de America and we work in the communities of Tonyville, Tooleville, El Rancho,
Plainview, and Lindsay. For more than ten years we have worked in these communities and
I don’t remember how many years we’ve attended these unmet needs meetings. In
unincorporated communities we have a lot of necessities. I am here today representing the
community members who cannot be here today. I want to make sure you are keeping these
communities in mind when you are making these new proposals. We want to continue to
work on this and continue to come to the meetings. And I want to say something; we come
up to meetings like this where we sit in front of you. It feels good because it gives you the
confidence to say the things that we have wanted. We hope to continue working with you.
Thank you.
53. Route 40 needs to be improved. Today I came from Visalia and the bus was full of
people: students from COS and people who worked in the area. Some people couldn’t fit
and they had to come in the bus. We need more and more service. In Tonyville and
Highway 65 and COS, everywhere, Route 40 needs to be improved.
54. It is great of you, changing to new buses; it is more comfortable than the old ones. I will
keep riding the bus.
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Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART)
55. I am very proud of the way your bus and transportation services are functioning. Keep
doing what you’re doing because it is working. I also would like to comment on the
excellent drivers you have on the Dinuba Transit Routes, the Jolly Trolley, and the Dinuba
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Connection.
56. I want the bus to run every hour with no lunch breaks. Students always get stuck
whenever the bus is on the break.
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57. I have a concern about the cutting off of the transit to the Dinuba High School. 1
There are many Students who go there and since the trip doesn’t go there anymore,
some of them need to walk.
58. Also can we make the Reedley Dinuba connection go every hour? 11:00 A.M.-12:00
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P.M. is the time when most students need to go to class.
59. I believe we should get rid of the stop in Palm Village and take it back to Dinuba High.
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60. The library should go back in the Reedley route and palm village should be taken off
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because more people used to get on from the library and it makes it easy for us students.
61. I want the high school library bus stop back. It takes 30 minutes to get to the transit
center, if it’s the time period then get rid of the palm villages stop. No one even uses it. Also
please bring back the 11 o’clock time because we students are stranded for two hours
waiting for the bus. In conclusion, please bring back the library stop, it’s unfair to us who
live on the east side of Dinuba.
62. Please change the bus route schedule; we are in desperate need of the library drop off.
63. I think that there should be a stop at Dinuba High School to make it easier for kids that
live near the high school so they don’t have to walk or find a ride to nearest bus stop to be
able to take the bus to college, DMV, or the hospital.
64. We need the stop by the library back, because no one ever gets off at Palm Village but
only once or twice a month, and more people always seem to get off more at the library
and Dinuba High School.
65. I really want the bus to stop at the high school again because I live like 30 minutes away
from the vocational, the high school is just 20 minutes away, and it makes your life so much
easier.
66. I and many other people would love the lunch hour back, the bus needs to run those
hours. I have class at 12 and I need to wait an hour and a half for it to start because I need
to get the earlier one. I have things to do at home. Please bring those hours back.
67. Even though I appreciate the Dinuba-Reedley connection and am thankful for such
services, having the stop at Dinuba High School would minimize my chances of getting in a
pedestrian/vehicle accident. Please reconsider the elimination of the Dinuba High School
drop off spot.
68. It’s pointless to stop at Palm Village because we never or hardly ever pick up anyone
from that stop. I’d rather stop by the high school because there is always someone there,
it’s time for a change.
69. Well I really need the times back 11:30 and 5:30 because I have things to do at home.
70. Jerry wants to take away from palm village and replace the Dinuba high school in
Dinuba.
71. Have more service areas and pick up locations for seniors that don’t drive to go to
Visalia.
72. More stops/pick up places near clinics, and late pickups after 6:00 p.m.
73. Wait for people walking towards bus, drivers take off too fast.
74. It would be useful and helpful if transportation would be provided all the way to
Crawford Apartments because some of us have medical conditions that prevent us from
walking to the Junior High School to be picked up. Thank you.
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75. Please have more stops.
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76. Please also wait about 5-10 minutes at pick up areas.
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77. (Translated) For me it’s a great service because I always use this type of
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transportation.
78. (Translated) I believe we need more transit service in more locations/addresses.
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Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART) and TCAT
79. For Route 10 to Dinuba on the Saturday runs, please put another bus because we
would like to go to Visalia early or to Dinuba early.
80. Also please put back the route to Walmart in Dinuba because their bus does not run the
same time the TCaT runs and it is a hassle to try to make it your bus from their bus. People
are not happy with the route that way.
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Porterville Transit
81. Need more covered spaces for waiting.
82. I need the 7 to run the same time as other bus lines. Running every 40 minutes. Bus 7
runs with bus 8 but I’m requesting 7 stay as 7 only.
83. The buses provide much needed transportation around town, it’s a privilege and it
helps out a lot of people in our community and helps provide jobs to better the community.
84. Need more covered areas at the bus stops for rain and summer. (Follow up: no specific
locations, just everywhere in general.)
85. Too many people on the east side route, possible extra bus?
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86. Your drivers are all great! If the buses could run later on the weekends that would be a
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great help.
87. Need more bus passes at Medical Center.
88. I think more benches at bus stops should be placed. Thank you.
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89. We need two restrooms at the Porterville Transit. The women’s restrooms have been
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down for at least two months at the Porterville Transit. We have issues such as fire, broken
glass, syringe needles, drugs and several more health and safety issues at the Porterville
Transit restrooms and grounds. We need the people in authority of the Porterville Transit
to resolve these safety and health issues. We the customers and tax payers of Porterville
would like to have a safe and healthy place to come at the Porterville Transit.
90. Seats and coverings at all stops.
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Porterville Transit and TCaT
91. I ride the bus from TCaT to Porterville and Visalia. The TCaT bus coming from Porterville
will issue you a transfer so you can continue your bus to Visalia. When you get into
Porterville that is not happening; there is no transfer. They will not accept a transfer from
TCaT to the Porterville buses.
92. I have lived here in Porterville all my life and I have seen the transit improving because I
use transit every day; I work in Visalia. I think Porterville Transit is one of the best around.
But we need to improve it in certain ways. For example, on Route 8 why don’t we have it
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hourly? Route 9 goes to the casino every hour. We need to improve the service to the East.
Porterville Transit and Visalia Transit
93. We need bus service to Los Angeles airport or to San Francisco from Porterville
or from Visalia. And affordable flights from Visalia to LAX. Back and forth even if
only once or twice a week. Orange Belt bus could go to LAX and pick up.
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Tulare Intermodal Express (TIME)
94. Tulare Transit center should post form of payment sign in front of glass window.
For example, Visa, MasterCard etc. more visible because it’s hard to see.
95. David Thorndike has been the manager for approximately two years. When he
first arrived he was doing a great job but lately things seem to have pretty much
gone back the way they were.
96. Buses are late: Bus drivers do not have back up and they take their breaks/lunch
leaving passengers sitting on the bus waiting and the many passengers waiting in
the community.
97. Buses are not well maintained: they leak oil. Oil spills are not cleaned up in a
timely manner. The seats on the buses are dirty. Both plastic and cloth seats need
to be cleaned on a regular basis. The heaters work half the time. The air
conditioners work half the time. The signs telling the destination of the buses still
do not work well.
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98. Trash cans: the trash cans are always full and overflowing. There is a problem
with the homeless people hanging out in the park across from the transit centers so
the trash cans are always full. The trash cans have no lids. I addressed this issue to
the Tulare City Council to no avail. The trash needs to be picked up more often.
99. Smoking: the law, in Tulare, says that one cannot smoke within 20 feet of an
open door or window and this includes the buses. During the summer months the
people, bus drivers included, smoke and throw their butts on the ground and the
grounds look like a big ash tray. The manager, David, was standing by an open bus
door smoking his cigarette. When he saw me he walked around the back side of the
bus. Some of the bus drivers flagrantly smoke in the areas they are not supposed to
because they see the boss doing it. Ash cans need to be provided for people to put
their butts in.
100. Water fountain: the water fountain is always in some state of leaking or
disrepair.
101. Crowded morning bus: the 8:00 Tulare bus to Visalia is terribly overcrowded.
People are packed in the aisle from back to front. I do not know what the limit is on
the bus but it is very unsafe for a bus to be packed so full. From verbal hearing
comments: There needs to be a secondary bus at 8:00.
102. I am a retired educator and I ride the bus in Tulare. Buses are late, bus drivers
do not have back up as they take their break and lunch, leaving passengers sitting
on the bus.
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103. Buses are not well maintained. Trash cans are always full and there’s a
problem with the homeless people hanging out in the park across the street. Bus
drivers smoke and throw their butts on the ground. The water fountain is always
leaking or in some state of disrepair.
104. The signs telling the destination of the buses still do not all work.
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105. The other morning I took the 8:00 a.m. Tulare bus to Visalia and it was terribly
overcrowded; people all the way through the back of the bus were standing body to
body.
106. Better bust stops to be safer and protected from weather.
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107. More bus stops from Mission Valley to the transit stations for better access to
town.
108. I have been riding the buses for 2 months. All your staff are quality people,
kind, courteous, and helpful. You are lucky to have them all. Thank you very much
no complaints here – excellent!
109. Why have a bus schedule if the buses are going to be early to the scheduled
pick up spots?
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TCaT – DART – TIME – and Visalia Transit
Comment not addressed to any specific transit provider so it was
relayed to all transit agencies.
110. Some of the bus drivers drive too fast, and some won’t drop the front step for
you if you can’t lift your leg high enough. It’s very hard to lift your leg that high.
They have two buses that will drop them and the other won’t unless you have a
cane or walker.
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SECTION V: ANALYSIS OF UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS COMMENTS RECEIVED
As part of each year’s unmet transit needs assessment process, TCAG staff coordinates with the public transit
operators and the social service agencies on the SSTAC to identify and assess any potential unmet transit
needs. All the transit providers were provided with the comments that corresponded to their transit system.
The transit providers reviewed the comments and provided a response indicating whether the request was an
unmet need that was reasonable to meet, an unmet need that was not reasonable to meet and not an unmet
need. Some requests received were operational in nature and not considered unmet transit needs. However,
the comments were noted and have been provided to the transit providers to address as part of evaluating and
maintaining their transit systems’ on-going operation. At the SSTAC meeting all of the comments and transit
provider’s responses were reviewed. TCAG staff and the SSTAC members agreed that of the comments
received ten requests were considered unmet transit needs that were reasonable to meet. This list of ten
requests were then forwarded on to the TCAG Policy Board for review and approval. Below are the minutes
to the SSTAC meeting that took place on May 19, 2015.
Meeting Minutes SSTAC Review Unmet Transit Needs Comments
Tulare County Association of Governments
Social Services Transportation Advisory Council
March 19, 2015 – Review Unmet Transit Needs
ATTENDANCE LIST
One representative of potential transit user who is 60 years of age
and over
One representative of potential transit users that are Handicapped
Ronald Allan
Vacant
Two representatives of the Local Social Service Providers for
Nalor See
Seniors & one representative of a social service transportation
Vacant
provider
Two representatives of local social service providers for the
David Horsman
Disabled, including one representative of a social service
Steve Ramsey - Absent
transportation provider, if one exists.
One representative of a local social service provider for persons of
Ed Jones - Absent
limited means.
Two representatives from the local consolidated transportation
Teresa Ortega
service agency, designated pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section
Michael Miller
15975 of the Government Code including one representative from an
operator, if one exists.
One representative of the resources for Independence Central Valley
Mary Wheeler - Absent
Representative
One representative of potential transit users from Local Youth
Vacant
Others Present: Monty Cox (City of Visalia) , Dan Fox (TCaT), Roy Ramirez (City of Dinuba), Richard Tree (City of
Porterville), David Deel (Caltrans), Ellen Moy (City of Tulare and Dinuba), Ross Miller (County of Tulare), Elizabeth
Forte, Jennie Miller, Lucia Reyes, Brideget Moore, Kasia Thompson, Andrea Apolinaro, and Alyssa Blythe (TCAG)
SUMMARY MEETING MINUTES__
________________________________
A. Welcome & Introductions
The Social Services Transportation Advisory Council (SSTAC) was called to order by Ms. Wright at
10:00 a.m. on February 24, 2015.
Ms. Wright opened/closed the Public Comment Period at 10:01 a.m.
Ms. Wright asked council to introduce themselves by stating their name and which agency they
represent.
B. Action: Approval of August 26, 2014, November 18, 2014 and February 24, 2015 Meeting Minutes
Due to a lack of a quorum, the August 26, 2014, November 18, 2014 and February 24, 2015 meeting
minutes were not approved.
C. Unmet Needs
Ms. Forte Page 13 in agenda packet, this is a kind of modification of the staff report for TCAG Board.
Outlines process and the reason for unmet needs is for state law for transit funding. So go out to public
and collect comments from the public and the board decides that are reasonable to meet and that has to be
done before you use your funds on other things like streets and roads.
Posters that have pre-paid postcards put up and handed out. Sent out to many businesses, really easy to
fill out. Advertise in the media and in the paper, Kiwanis. Using our social media a little more and Lucie
working on that. Facebook, Twitter. People call and email us also.
Two public hearings….One in Visalia and Porterville, translated for Spanish. Received almost 90
comments this year.
Page 15, we have our adopted criteria for unmet needs and we have had for a while. Some of the criteria
is that we can’t provide a service that will reduce existing service for example. Has to be a response for
an existing need not for future need. Service needs to be provided with existing fleet so not always
necessary to require agencies to buy more buses. The proposed service will not unduly effect the
passenger ratio system. Right now the county has to have 10% of their fares covering the operator cost,
be able to meet those fare ratios. Other things under performance if anyone has any questions.
Things like transit plans, if there isn’t a community need for an unmet need.
Ms. Forte stated
Page 16 there are some descriptions, if TCAG board or council declare unmet need for an agency, there
are testing periods where you can implement for an unmet need. There are times when you can phase in
and discontinue service if not working properly. Ex. At the end of one year services, not successful and
will consider the following year after implementation.
Ready to start with unmet needs list:
Reviewed the unmet needs list and
So we have the comments organized by Agency.
Comments, have committee members vote on reasonable ones, no quorum but still vote.
Ms. Forte reviewed the list of unmet needs that are reasonable to meet and the ones unable to meet. The
following unmet needs that were reasonable to meet and voted on by committee members:
TCaT
1. Unmet Need: Request for fixed route service to Kingsburg.
TCaT’s Response: TCaT recommends that this is an unmet need, reasonable to meet, with the
inclusion of the Tulare County Kingsburg service area into the North County Dial a Ride service area.
Upon motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Horseman, TCaT’s response was
approved.
2. Unmet Need: Include weekend service to the Seville, Yettem area in order to make it possible to
attend religious services, farmers market and COS events.
TCaT Response: TCaT finds that Seville/Yettem Saturday/Sunday service could be added to the
weekend TCaT Route 10 schedule, there TCaT staff recommends that this request is an unmet need
that is reasonable to meet.
Upon a motion by Member Horseman and seconded by Member Miller, TCaT’s response was
unanimously approved by the Committee.
3. Unmet Need: I ride the bus from TCaT to Porterville and Visalia. The TCaT bus coming from
Porterville and Visalia. The TCaT bus coming from Porterville will issue you a transfer so you can
continue your bus to Visalia. When you get to Porterville that is not happening there is no transfer.
They will not accept a transfer from TCaT to the Porterville busses.
TCaT Response: TCaT is willing and able to offer reciprocal transfers onto the Porterville fixed
route system, with an agreement with Porterville Transit, TCaT would offer January 2, 2016 an
reasonable start date, in order to give us time to coordinator with Porterville. Therefore, TCaT staff
recommends that this request is an unmet need that is reasonable to meet. TCaT also suggests that a
regional T-DAY PASS could be create to supersede the primitive paper transfer system now used on
the inter-agency transfers. Thereby eliminating the need for all transfers County wide.
Upon a motion by Member Miller and seconded by Member Allan, TCaT’s response was approved
by the Committee.
4. Unmet Need: If you want to go anywhere on the weekend it doesn’t run at all; there is no
transportation from Three Rivers or Lemon Cove on the weekends. People who work can’t go
shopping on their day off and they have to find a ride; a lot of people can’t afford the gas anymore.
We are asking that you consider replacing the weekend route.
TCaT Response: TCaT finds that Three Rivers/Lemon Cove Saturday/Sunday service could be
added to the weekend TCaT Route 30 schedule. Therefore, TCaT staff recommends that this request
is an unmet need that is reasonable to meet.
Upon motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Miller, TCaT’s response was approved by
the Committee.
Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART)
1. Unmet Need: I want the bus to run every hour with no lunch breaks. Students always get stuck
whenever the bus is on the break.
DART’s Response: In response to this comment, it is assumed this refers to the Dinuba Connection
bus route. As such, the City of Dinuba believes running the route with no lunch breaks is feasible.
This is an unmet need, reasonable to meet.
Upon motion by Member Miller and seconded by Member Allan, DARTs response was approved by the
Committee.
Porterville Transit
1. Unmet Need: 2 Requests for a need of more covered spaces for waiting.
TCaT Response: This is an unmet transit need, reasonable to meet. Porterville will be purchasing
and installing new bus stop shelters at various locations FY 15/16.
Upon motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Ortega, Porterville’s response was
approved by the Committee.
2. Unmet Need: Too many people on the east side route, possible extra bus?
Porterville Response: This is an unmet transit need, reasonable to meet. Porterville will add extra
buses on Route 3 when capacity constraints exist during peak hours of service.
Upon motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Ortega, Porterville’s response was
approved by the Committee.
3. Unmet Need: If the buses could run later on the weekends that would be a great help.
Porterville Response: This is an unmet transit need, reasonable to meet. Porterville will extend
Saturday service to 10 p.m. starting July 1, 2015.
Upon a motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Miller, Porterville’s response was
approved by the Committee.
Tulare Intermodal Express (TIME)
1. Unmet Need: Crowded morning bus: The 8:00 Tulare bus to Visalia is terribly overcrowded. People
are packed in the aisle from back to front. I do not know what the limit is on the bus but it is very
unsafe for a bus to be packed so full. From verbal hearing comments: There needs to be a secondary
bus at 8:00.
TIME Response: We have reviewed the need for a secondary (backup) bus when the Tulare
Intermodal Express buses to Visalia are overcrowded and will be putting one in service when the
need arises. Incidentally, the bus mentioned by Ms. Grisell at 8:00 was a Visalia Transit bus. This is
an unmet need that is reasonable to meet.
Upon motion by Member Allan and seconded by Member Ortega, TIME’s response was approved by
the Committee.
Ms. Forte stated TCAG staff will be compiling for the TCAG Board to let them know recommendations
and they will be potentially voting on them and going on record for Caltrans. Ms. Forte stated those
reasonable to meet will be need to be done next fiscal year for agencies to utilize their funds.
D. Information: TCAG & Transit Provider Updates
Ms. Forte reported the Regional Long Range Transit Plan to be our 2040 and looking at all the systems in
our county and how they are working now, how they would work in the future, etc.
Completed the public outreach phase, received couple of 100 surveys, went out to Lindsay Friday night
market, Tulare Teen Fest, Orosi Swamp Meet, Farmer’s Markets in Visalia, Dinuba Cinco De Mayo,
Senior Day at Mooney’s Grove, COS, transit centers to address current riders to ask why or not they like
the bus. Press releases, social services organizations and different providers. Accumulating input and
common theme with riders is that they want more riders. Want bus drivers to give more information but
they may be difficult. All information posted on the stops. People want more at their
fingertips….looking at apps. Things they can look up the current information. Bus schedule and
information. Ms. Forte stated the stakeholders have discussed getting more riders such as younger and
older riders and disabled riders and informed members that Wi-Fi and different amenities seem to entice
them more.
Member Horseman questioned how long the 2040 Long Range Survey would be available and Ms. Forte
responded that the survey was up until this Friday and can be continued if more want to fill out as TCAG
is just now starting to accumulate the data
Ms. Forte informed Members that TCAG will accept unmet needs at all times of the year.
Member Allan questioned if the Central Valley Regional Center had received the unmet needs comment
cards and Ms. Forte replied she would make sure they are on the mailing list.
Ms. Forte Full summary of what they did and draft recommendations to what they are going to propose
move forward with long range transportation plan at the next SSTAC meeting. Will send out draft form
so can make comments at next meeting.
Ms. Apolinario reported on the Southeast County Transit Mobility Plan and stated it is a 6 month
planning effort focusing on gaps in the mobility options, disadvantaged populations, low income
residents, students, seniors and the disability community. Ms. Apolinario stated the current setting
provides recommendations for fixed route and fare transit studies in addition to the other mobility
strategies and TCAG has just received the final existing condition plan if members would like a copy.
Ms. Apolinario provided that in June, TCAG will meet with providers to discuss concepts and receive
feedback from them for the final in August.
Information: Update on Transit Plans
Ms. Miller reported she and transit staff are working on the final phases of the Counties 5 year Transit
Development Plan and are clearing up any final issues. Ms. Miller stated that by the end of this week, a
draft document will be printed and sent to Caltrans and to the higher ups in County for review and once
finalized will go to the Board of Supervisors.
Ms. Miller also reported the County is recommending increasing rates for the fixed route service as it has
not increased in 25 years
Ms. Millers stated some of the recommendations for the Southeast Service are being left open-ended
since also working on the Long Range Transit Plan and the Southeast Mobility Plan.
D. Transit Provider Updates
City of Visalia: Mr. Cox reported on the Long Range Transit Plan (LRTP) and stated he they are in
phase 3 right now. Phase 2 was the operational scenarios and the advisory committee came up with three
scenarios with the first being baseline coverage what we are doing now plus doubling service by 2040;
Scenario B would be tripling service and Scenario C would be quadrupling the service. Mr. Cox stated
the reason the scenarios were far into the futures is because one of the goals for the Long Range plan was
to address all the future potential needs and right now the study indicated that we are achieving tracking
1.5% of all trips in our service area. All vehicle and transit trips done on a daily basis. About average for
transit. Because of the growth and the consolidation that will occur because of general plan, where they
will be building more condensed population and doing more in fill. More things that will benefit transit
and actually make it more difficult for traffic issues. So we feel for that to occur, Transit actually has to
capture a higher percentage of more trips. So Scenario C for us to capture 5% of all trips on a daily basis
by 2040. That is why increased growth in Plan C.
Mr. Cox stated the federal funds and current local and state funds that the City is receiving now, will not
be sufficient to make that happen, which is why the plan goes into detail in plan talking about financial
side of things. Mr. Cox sated that in order to accomplish, local measures transit related for funding like
sales tax that will have to pay for that service that is added to that level. Even if we don’t plan for it to
happen, it will still happen with all the demands and if we aren’t prepared we won’t have the buses or the
funding. Hopefully final will explain in detail what is required and how it will be funded.
Mr. Cox reported the City of Visalia is working with Downtown Visalians to add a 3rd shift of security at
the transit center to ensure 24 hour security. Mr. Cox stated it the nighttime shift would be covered by
the policy bike patrol and they would circulate the transit every 30 or 60 minutes during the night. Mr.
Cox reported they would split the costs with Downtown Visalians and it would alleviate any possible
issues that could happen after hours at the Transit Center.
In middle of expanding CMG facility and added slow fill post and speeding up fast fill post.
Mr. Cox reported the Sequoia Shuttle is scheduled to begin in two days and run for 130 days this year as
it is the 75th Anniversary of Kings Canyon and 125th Anniversary of Sequoia. Mr. Cox commented that
next year will be the 100th of the National Park service which has resulted in a huge increase in publicity
and an increase for the number of reservations for the Sequoia Shuttle.
Mr. Cox stated plans for the Fresno Shuttle are about 98% for sure and right now the grand Working on
starting the Fresno shuttle and about 98% for sure. Right now, Grant funds in the works that have been
allocated and just need to finalize grant agreements than ordering buses. Anticipating starting hopefully
end of calendar year or January 2016. Depends on delivery of buses.
The publicity for the marketing for Visalia marketing transit app has launched…soft start to test before
major marketing campaign. Can go in app store and download to start using now. On Android and
Apple. Link from Visalia webpage? Yes but easiest way to go to app store and look for Visalia transit
app. Believes it will be really helpful.
TCaT: Mr. Fox discussed the Transit Operations Maintenance Facility (TOMF) being built on Lover’s
Lane and 256 and reported that it is still in design and the funding has been set for $8-10 million and the
goal is to have it completed by 2017/2018.
Mr. Fox also reported the Loop Bus now has 5 dedicated vehicle and so far have received over 700
applications for this financial year. Mr. Fox stated they have partnered with the Sequoia shuttle to bring
at risk youth groups to a connection at the Sequoia shuttle. Grant opportunity for them to the seq shuttle
than to the mountains. Free, but have never see. Grant from the park service. Paying for 1700 trips for
the youth and have 500 scheduled already.
City of Dinuba: Mr. Ramirez reported that the City of Dinuba is also in the CMG expansion phase and
ongoing, slow fill for buses. Reported last meeting that received request for section 5339 replacement
bus purchase, last week received there more letters for buses so we submitted to hopefully get something
positive out of this.
City of Porterville: Mr. Tree reported Porterville is also expanding their CMG fueling facility and
adding 20 new slow fill stations totaling 30. Also, designing TOMF brother or sister in Porterville.
Currently, out to bid for architectural/engineering design services for our operation facility. However, do
not have funding for the construction yet but will use completed design to help cause.
Big integrated security system project out to bid that will cover transit center, maintenance facility center
and admin facility. Includes intrusion detection, access control and surveillance cameras.
We just leased admin offices across from Porterville City hall and looking into moving into those in July.
All staff under one roof until TOMF built. Than together with the mechanics.
Exciting for our passengers, mobile fare payment and fare collection project just received proposals on.
Will be able to purchase tickets or passes on their smart phones and store on device and present. Also
allows for account based smart cards where you can load new passes onto smart card and have
accounting of it in case card lost so can track unlike now.
One neat feature asking for the new fare collection, the announcements and messaging are in bilingual
and Spanish.
Does not affect the passengers but also received proposals for automatic passenger counters for more
detailed ridership information for planning purposes.
2015 lots of projects, we have transit signal priority project, installing devices at 15 intersections along 2
major routes that will improve on time performance. In the future, only will be activated when buses are
running late. Stipulations only activated if buses running late. Council was a little wary.
Today a couple of new buses being delivered.
Air district project that received partial funding for to purchase 2 battery electric buses. Partial finding
will have to look for some other funding strategies to make it a viable project. 0 emission vehicles
coming to area and started soon.
Expanding weekday service to 10 p.m. starting at 6 and ending at 10 and expanding sat service also to 10
p.m. Dial a ride hours fixed route hours will also be expanded. Surplus new freedom funding that needs
to be spent and used on dial ride hours to expand to 10 p.m. on Sundays and looking at areas as far as
Terra Bella Springville and Lindsay areas for dial a ride services only. That funding is available and pays
for 100% of the operation. We need to spend in a timely manner according to FDA. Will use southeast
study to look at unmet needs after funding is spent.
TIME:
Mr. Miller reported in Ms. Thompson’s absence and stated TIME is working on design contract for
maintenance building for transit so buses have easy access to drop off fare boxes.
Member Allan informed Committee Tulare is in process of receiving new buses and they are scheduled
to be come in October and be on the road no later than December.
New round of bus shelter installations as indicated in the unmet needs process.
Ms. Forte reported the Grand Jury Commissioners had ridden the Visalia Transit and TCaT buses to test
out the systems and TCAG received a very positive report last week. Ms. Forte stated the City of Visalia,
TCAG, TCaT and other Agencies will be responding to the report.
Ms. Forte informed Committee there was one recommendation that TCaT should provide more South
County Service, which was a little vague for which specific communities they are referring too, and that
the only complaint from passengers were the buses were sometimes late.
Mr. Fox explained to the Grand Jury and stated the South County service areas were Allensworth and
Alpaugh for the communities. At the time for the presentation, service was very limited there and it was
only Dial a Ride 4 hours a day and since than it has expanded. Monitor communities like we do three
rivers and know how many people are riding and expanded from 4 hours a day to 10 hours a day.
Answer will be straight forward and please them as well.
F.
Other Business & Discussion
Ms. Wright announced the next SSTAC meeting will be held on August 18, 2015 @ 9:30 a.m. at the
Tulare County Association of Governments.
G.
Meeting Adjourned at 11:31 a.m.
UNMET TRANSIT NEEDS FINDINGS
There were ten unmet transit needs that were considered reasonable to meet during the 2014/15 Unmet Transit
Needs Assessment process. These requests were sent to the TCAG Policy Board for final review and approval
on June 15, 2015. The TCAG Board reviewed the ten requests and approved them all. The agenda item and
signed resolution can be found in Appendix A.
The ten unmet transit needs requests that were determined to be reasonable to meet are indicated below:
1. Request for TCaT to add fixed route service to Kingsburg
TCaT agreed to include the Kingsburg service area into the North County Dial-A-Ride service area.
TCAG staff and the SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
2. Request for TCaT to include weekend service to the Seville, Yettem area in order to make it possible to
attend religious services, farmers marked and College of the Sequoias events.
TCaT agreed to add Seville/Yettem in their Saturday/Sunday service to the TCaT Route 10 schedule.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
3. Request currently rider is able to receive a transfer from TCaT bus coming from Porterville to continue
journey to Visalia. When rider goes to Porterville a transfer from TCaT to Porterville bus is not
accepted. Rider would like there to be a transfer from TCaT to the Porterville fixed route system.
TCaT agreed to offer reciprocal transfers onto the Porterville Fixed Route system. They requested a start
date of January 2, 2016 to begin this service to allow them time to coordinate a transfer agreement with
Porterville.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
4. Request for TCaT to implement weekend service to Three Rivers and Lemon Cove.
TCaT agreed to add Three Rivers/Lemon Cove to the Saturday/Sunday weekend TCaT Route 30
schedule.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
5. Request for the Dinuba Connection bus to run every hour with no lunch breaks. Students always get
stuck whenever the bus is on the break.
City of Dinuba agreed to run the route with no lunch breaks.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
6. Two requests for Porterville Transit to install more covered spaces for waiting.
Porterville Transit agreed to purchase and install new bus stop shelters at various locations FY 2015/16.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
7. Request for Porterville Transit to add additional bus on the east side route because too many people
riding this route.
Porterville Transit agreed to add extra buses on Route 3 when capacity constraints exist during peak
hours of service.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
8. Request for Porterville Transit to run the buses later on the weekends.
Porterville Transit agreed to extend Saturday service to 10 p.m. starting on July 1, 2015.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
9. TCaT responded to this request on item three above, Porterville Transit also needs to respond to request.
Request currently rider is able to receive a transfer from TCaT bus coming from Porterville to continue
journey to Visalia. When rider goes to Porterville a transfer from TCaT to Porterville bus is not
accepted. Rider would like there to be a transfer from TCaT to the Porterville fixed route system.
Porterville Transit agreed to implement a reciprocal transfer with TCaT.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.
10. Request for Tulare Intermodal Express (TIME) to add a second bus on the 8:00 a.m. Tulare bus to
Visalia. Bus is terribly overcrowded and people are packed in the aisle from back to front. Rider feels
this situation is unsafe and questioned if there was a limit on the number of people that could ride on a
bus.
TIME agreed to add a secondary (backup) bus when the TIME buses to Visalia are overcrowded and
will be putting one in service when the need arises on Route 11x.
TCAG staff and SSTAC agreed that this was an unmet transit need that was reasonable to meet. The
TCAG Board approved this request.