Agenda Item Wording:
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Proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 - Consider the proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 that serves the Visalia Industrial Park and the scheduling of a 30-day public comment period and public hearing.
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Agenda Date: 07/20/2026
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 receive the report, open a public comment period and schedule a public hearing for its meeting on September 7, 2026, to consider the proposed elimination of the Transit Fixed Route 17 due to low ridership.
Summary:
Staff proposes what is defined by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as a major service reduction in the proposed elimination of Transit Fixed Route 17 due to exceedingly low ridership effective October 1, 2026. The FTA defines a major service reduction as twenty-five percent (25%) or more reduction of the number of transit route miles of a route, i.e. the total mileage covered during one round trip by a vehicle in revenue service on a particular route. Consistent with FTA guidelines and regulations with respect to a proposed major service reduction, a thirty (30) day public comment period must be noticed in a newspaper of general circulation in the urbanized area prior to the proposed Public Hearing date of September 7, 2026. The City will also post public notices on buses, on the City website, and on its various social media channels. Staff will receive comments and feedback in person, via telephone, online response and email, which will be reported to the Council at the Public Hearing on September 7th should it be scheduled.
Background Discussion:
Transit 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 Industr...
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