Cross Valley Express funded
Come the new year there will be a new way to catch a ride around Visalia.
Assistant City Manager John Lollis says Visalia residents will be able to access a newly purchased fleet of microtransit vehicles starting in January.
Microtransit is a transportation service that instead of running on a fixed-route, uses technology to provide on-demand rides within a designated area. Riders use a smartphone app or website to request a ride, and software matches the rider’s location with a vehicle and estimates a pick-up time. The vehicle may deviate from its route to pick up the rider.
The Visalia City Council will be considering the final component of Visalia Transit’s new microtransit service at its meeting on December 3, 2024, with the proposed farebox rate of $5 for trips within the city of Visalia.
The council will also receive a staff presentation on Visalia Transit’s robust overall transit operations, including Dial-A-Ride, Fixed Route, Sequoia Shuttle, V-Line, as well as the anticipated new Cross Valley Express between Lindsay and Hanford.
In regards to microtransit, at its meeting on September 16, 2024, the Council approved the purchase of seven vehicles to deliver the service, as well as software to support the service, which both are expected to be delivered to Visalia by December 1st.
Now they need to come up with a catchy name.Transit staff is currently refining the brand and graphics of the microtransit vehicles, with promotion and beginning of services planned for January 2025, says Lollis.
Microtransit services are typically offered by local governments or public transit agencies but operated by third-party companies.The idea has been spreading in the U.S. for years as traditional transit struggles to increase ridership. They’re similar to ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft — and operated by similar types of tech startups — but still subsidized like other modes of public transit.
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In other parts of Tulare County microtransit is already offered. With Visalia starting up, the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA) is proposing changes to its on-demand microtransit service. In anticipation of the City of Visalia deploying its own microtransit service, TCRTA proposes discontinuing its service of providing intra-city trips in the Visalia zone.
For Inter-city trips to and from the City of Visalia, riders will continue to be dropped off and picked up from their destination. Going forward, TCRTA will collaborate with its partners on microtransit inter-city trip policy and protocols. TCRTA is also proposing changes to microtransit pick-up times from 30 minutes in all areas to a market-based approach where pick-up times are determined by availability with the rider determining whether to accept the ride as they see fit.
Targeted average pick-up times for urban areas are proposed to be under 30 minutes, and rural areas under one hour.
Public hearing
Members of the public are encouraged to comment. A Public Hearing for final comments will be held at the TCRTA Board Meeting scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, at 4:00 pm. The hearing will be held in the TCRTA Conference Room located at 200 E. Center Ave., Visalia, CA.
Cross Valley Express bus service funded
Meanwhile,Tulare County has received over $50 million for the Cross Valley Express project, which will offer a new bus service
Tulare County has received $59,100,000 in funding for their Cross Valley Express: Kings-Tulare County Regional Bus and Capital Infrastructure plan. The funds come from the California State Transportation Agency.
Officials say the project will establish a new transit bus network connecting Visalia, Hanford and Lindsay, to the San Joaquin Hanford Amtrak station and the future Kings-Tulare High-Speed Rail station in Hanford.
Phase 1A launched July 1, 2024 and will provide connection from Visalia to Hanford with four round trips per day, including four round-trips on weekdays and two round trips on Saturdays. This phase will also provide a convenient connection to Amtrak San Joaquins trains (702 & 712).
Phase 1B is slated to be in service by January 2025 and will add service from Visalia to Hanford – enhancing the frequency and convenience of the route.
And lastly, a future Phase 1C will focus on implementing an Express Bus, providing service every half-hour, connecting Hanford to Lindsay and the High-Speed Rail connection.
For more information- Phone: (559) 852-2691