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) p...
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