Agenda Item Wording:
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Proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 - Conduct a public hearing and receive public comment and make a determination on the proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 that serves the Visalia Industrial Park.
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Agenda Date: 09/08/2026
Prepared by:
Angelina Baker, Transit Manager, Angelina.Baker@visalia.gov, (559)713-4591
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@visalia.gov, (559)713-4323.
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing, receive public comment and approve the proposed elimination of Industrial Route 17.
Summary:
At its meeting on July 20, 2026, staff proposed to the City Council what is defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as a major service reduction in the elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 due to exceedingly low ridership effective October 1, 2026. Consistent with FTA guidelines and regulations with respect to a proposed major service reduction, a thirty (30) day public comment period was noticed in a newspaper of general circulation in the urbanized area (Visalia Times Delta) prior to the scheduled public hearing date of September 8, 2026. Staff also posted public notices on buses, on the City website, and on its various social media channels, and received comments via email, social media, telephone and in person that are presented for the Council’s consideration in its determination to eliminate Route 17.
Background Discussion:
Route 17 was established in October 2021 to provide transportation access within the growing Visalia Industrial Park to support the increasing number of jobs within the Industrial Park, most notably the opening of the Amazon Fulfillment Center (FAT2) also in October 2021. As a new transit service, Route 17 was eligible for federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program grant funding to support implementation, which the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) provided $1,385,983 to primarily support the first two (2) years of the new route’s operation with a City match of $179,569 from Local Transportation Funds (LTF). With the exhaustion of federal CMAQ grant funds in the 2023-24 Fiscal Year, the City has subsequently expended $1,721,380 in federal transit and LTF funds in support of the route.
However, ridership levels since its initiation to the current date indicate that the service is not being utilized as intended and is exceedingly low, making it an inefficient route to operate when compared to expense (approximately $800,000 annually) and passengers served (approximately 3,000 annually). It is likely that the workforce within the service area have found alternative transportation options, such as personal vehicles, carpooling arrangements or rideshare services. For example, there have been 195 rides on Visalia Connect micrortransit service to or from the Amazon facility specifically within the last year.
Ridership data indicates that Route 17 consistently experiences extremely low passenger activity. Through multiple observations conducted along the route, buses were frequently operating with no passengers on board for most of the service period. To better understand rider needs and travel patterns, staff attempted to conduct an onboard survey. During the observation period, only one passenger utilized the route who refused to participate in the onboard survey. In addition to the lack of survey participation, field observations revealed that Route 17 is often traveling through its service area without carrying passengers.
At its meeting on July 20, 2026, Members of Council expressed its preliminary support for eliminating Route 17, but wanted to ensure that alternative options (e.g. Visalia Connect microtransit) would be available to assist route riders impacted by the route’s elimination.
Over the past month, staff inquired with multiple businesses in the Industrial Park as well as with the member businesses of the Visalia Economic Development Corporation (VEDC), which the employers supported the elimination of the route, but similarly to Council Member comments. encouraged alternative public transportation service options.
Based on ridership data, direct field observations, Industrial Park business input, and limited rider comments obtained, Route 17 is not effectively serving the community or generating sufficient demand to justify continued operation. It should be noted there was one (1) individual who provided comment in opposition to the route’s elimination as a rider of Route 17 to employment at Amazon, which Transit Division staff is working with the individual how to best meet needed public transportation. The consistently low ridership indicates that the transportation needs within the service area are being met through alternative means. As a result, discontinuation of Route 17 is recommended, with resources reallocated to services demonstrating higher demand and greater community benefit.
Transit Division staff is currently developing its next Short Range Transit Plan (SRTP) “Reimagine Study”. The SRTP is a guiding document that is federally required and updated every five (5) years to help steer the transit agency, evaluating and positioning the Visalia Transit system for efficient and effective service over the next five (5) years. Staff began working with a consultant firm (Jarret Walker & Associates) in Spring 2026 with the final anticipated delivery of the Reimagine Study in Spring 2027. Additionally, the City is coordinating with TCAG and the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) in the development of a transit hub at the TCOE Doe Complex site in the Industrial Park as a part of the planned Cross Valley Corridor express bus service between Visalia and Hanford.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs:
Route 17 is currently not funded by any specific grant funds and is therefore being supported by the Transit Division operating budget which is comprised of a mixture of federal transit and local transportation funds. Eliminating the route will assist in the allocation of operational funds to support routes with greater ridership.
Prior Council Action:
July 20, 2026: Proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 (26-0041)
Alternatives:
Council could direct staff to continue with the operation of Route 17 until the SRTP Reimage Study is completed in the Spring 2027.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to eliminate the Transit Fixed Route 17 effective October 1, 2026.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: N/A
Attachments:
1. City Council Meeting Presentation
2. Transit Fixed Route 17 Exhibit
3. Record of Public Comments (as of September 2, 2026)
4. City Council Agenda Report: July 20, 2026 (26-0041)
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Select all that apply.
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