Agenda Item Wording:
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Microtransit Fare - Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-05 to authorize a proposed new microtransit service fare be included in the City's Rates and Fees Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and 2025-26.
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Deadline for Action: 3/3/2025
Submitting Department: Administration - Transit Division
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Angelina DeRossett, Transit Manager, Angelina.DeRossett@Visalia.City, (559) 713-4591
John Lollis, Assistant City Manager, John.Lollis@Visalia.City, (559) 713-4323
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a Public Hearing to receive testimony on the proposed new microtransit service fare and adopt Resolution No. 2025-05 to amend the City's Rates and Fees Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and 2025-26.
Background Discussion:
At its meeting on September 16, 2024, the City Council approved the Visalia Transit microtransit pilot project to proceed, which included the purchase of seven (7) ADA-accessible vans and contracting with Via to provide the microtransit user software.
The intent behind the microtransit pilot project is to offer smaller vehicles in more convenient and flexible service areas in an effort to reduce the costs of the operation of larger 35' buses. The data collected from the pilot program will be used to assist in reimagining the Visalia Transit system overall and strategically replace low-performing fixed routes with on-demand microtransit service.
Initially the microtransit pilot project was proposed as a county-wide project that was to be operated by the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA); however, the pilot project since evolved and now Visalia Transit will be operating its own microtransit pilot within the city limits of Visalia, and Porterville Transit operates its own microtransit pilot within the city limits of Porterville. As a region, in partnership and with funding provided by the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG...
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