Tulare County Regional Transit Agency Explained

Tulare County Regional Transit Agency
Parent:Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG)
Service Area:Tulare County, California
Service Type:Bus service, Dial-a-Ride
Routes:27[1]
Destinations:Intercity and local routes in Tulare County
Hubs:Dinuba Transit Center, Porterville Transit Center, Tulare Transit Center, Visalia Transit Center

The Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA) is a joint powers agency formed by all the cities in Tulare County, California (except Visalia) alongside the county government on August 17, 2020. It operates the public transportation systems within and connecting the respective member agencies, including the legacy systems Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART, in Dinuba), Porterville Transit (PT, Porterville), Tulare InterModal Express (TIME, in the City of Tulare), and Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT, intercity routes). It is the largest single public transit agency in Tulare County.

History

The cities of Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, and Woodlake in partnership with the County of Tulare were the initial seven member agencies of TCRTA, which was formed by unanimously adopting the draft by-laws on August 17, 2020.[2] In September 2020, Dinuba joined TCRTA as the eighth member.[3] Collectively, these represent all the cities within Tulare County with the sole exception of Visalia, the largest city and county seat, which has chosen to retain its independent Visalia Transit agency. The consolidation is expected to result in uniform fares, more efficient routes, and easier intercity travel within Tulare County.

Memoranda of understanding (MoU) were signed between TCRTA and the cities of Dinuba, Tulare, and Woodlake at the May 17, 2021 TCRTA Board of Directors meeting, transferring ownership, operation, and administration of public transportation systems in those cities to TCRTA.[4] A similar MoU for Porterville signed at the same May meeting effectively allowed that city to provide transit operations and maintenance services for Woodlake. The first legacy system to transition to TCRTA administration was the bus service in Woodlake, starting on July 1, 2021.[5] Porterville Transit loaned several minivans to Woodlake, replacing the minibuses that previously were operated by that city.[6]

Services

Fixed routes

TCRTA has assumed operation of legacy fixed routes from Dinuba (DART), Porterville (Porterville Transit), the City of Tulare (TIME), and Tulare County (TCaT). Prefixes designate the legacy system from which the route was inherited.

TCRTA Fixed Routes
Route Name Legacy system Terminus via Terminus Typ. headway (mins.) Notes / Refs.
DCDinuba ConnectionDARTDinuba Transit Center Tulare WORKS, Reedley Shopping Center, Adventist Health Reedley, Reedley College, Palm Village, Reedley DMV Dinuba Transit Center60 (weekday)Alternative name: Dinuba / Reedley Route[7] [8]
C10North CountyTCaTVisalia (Visalia Transit Center)Seville, Cutler, East Orosi, Orosi, SultanaDinuba (Dinuba Transit Center)60 (weekday)
120 (weekend)		[9] [10]
C20South CountyTCaTTulare (Tulare Transit Center)Matheny Tract, Tipton, Pixley, Teviston, Earlimart, DelanoRichgrove60–90 (weekday)
150 (weekend)		[11] [12]
C30Northeast CountyTCaTVisalia (Visalia Transit Center)Ivanhoe, Woodlake, Lemon Cove, Three RiversVisalia (Visalia Transit Center)30 (weekday)
70 (weekend)		[13] [14]
C40Southeast CountyTCaTVisalia (Tulare County Gov't Plaza)Tulare, Lindsay, StrathmorePorterville (Porterville Transit Center)65 (weekday)
120 (weekend)		Free transfer to Visalia Transit Route 1, connects to Visalia Transit Center[15] [16]
C50Dinuba – London – Traver – Delft ColonyTCaTDinuba (Kmart)London, Traver, Delft Colony, Dinuba Transit CenterDinuba (Kmart)70–240 (wkdy)
60–180 (Sat)		[17] [18]
C60LindsayTCaTLindsaySavemart/McDonalds, Wellness Center, E. Tulare Rd & Lafayette Ave, City HallLindsay30 (weekday)[19] [20]
C70Porterville – SpringvilleTCaTPorterville (Porterville Transit Center)SpringvillePorterville (Porterville Transit Center)360 (weekday)[21] [22]
C80Porterville – Terra Bella – DucorTCaTPorterville (Porterville Transit Center)Terra Bella, DucorPorterville (Porterville Transit Center)360 (weekday)[23] [24]
C90Lindsay – Strathmore – Plainview – Woodville – Poplar – PortervilleTCaTLindsay (McDonalds)Plainview, Woodville, Cotton Center, Poplar, StrathmorePorterville (Porterville Transit Center)90–270 (weekday)[25] [26]
D1Dollar Tree – Tropicana Market – Viscaya GardensDARTDinuba Transit Center Surabian Dr, El Monte Way, Alta Ave Dinuba Transit Center60 (M–Sa)Western segment of legacy "Jolly Trolley".[27]
D2Senior Center – Northpark Apts – Mercantile RowDARTDinuba Transit Center Alta Ave, Nebraska Ave, El Monte Way Dinuba Transit Center60 (M–Sa)Previously named "North Route".[28]
D3Jefferson School – Rancho Vista – DPWDARTDinuba Transit Center El Monte Way, Road 88, Kamm Ave, M Dinuba Transit Center60 (M-Sa)Abbreviated from "South Route".[29]
D4Walmart – Housing Authority – Delgado ParkDARTDinuba Transit Center Surabian Dr, El Monte Way, College Ave, Kamm Ave, Greene AveDinuba Transit Center60 (M–Sa)Interior segment of "South Route".[30]
P1Sierra View District HospitalPTPorterville Transit CenterSouth County Justice Center, Porterville High School, Burton ElementaryPorterville Transit Center40[31] [32]
P2Monache High SchoolPTPorterville Transit CenterPorterville Library, Wal-Mart Shopping Center, Porterville Adult School, Monte Vista ElementaryPorterville Transit Center40[33] [34]
P3East PortervillePTPorterville Transit CenterVallarta Super Market, East Porterville, Alta Vista School, Granite Hills High School, Porterville Municipal Golf Course, Santa Fe ApartmentsPorterville Transit Center40[35] [36]
P4Porterville CollegePTPorterville Transit CenterPorterville Heritage Center, Santa Fe School, LB Learning Center, Porterville Developmental Center, Golden Hills Mobile Estates, Vandalia Elementary, Pioneer Middle SchoolPorterville Transit Center40[37] [38]
P5Veterans ParkPTPorterville Transit CenterWestwood Ave, Target Shopping Center, Government Plaza, Galaxy 9 Theaters, Zalud ParkPorterville Transit Center40[39] [40]
P6Family HealthCare NetworkPTPorterville Transit CenterSierra View District Hospital, Lowes and Home Depot Shopping Center, Holiday Inn Express, Porterville Sheltered WorkshopPorterville Transit Center40[41] [42]
T1North TulareTIMETulare Transit Center Regional Medical Center, Sports Park, Pleasant School, Maple School Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[43]
T2Southeast TulareTIMETulare Transit Center Martin Luther King, Bardsley, Blackstone Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[44]
T3West TulareTIMETulare Transit Center Westside Community Health Clinic, Senior Center, Skate Park Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[45]
T4Northeast TulareTIMETulare Transit Center CVS, Target, Walmart Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[46]
T5Southwest TulareTIMETulare Transit Center Bardsley, K St, Hillman Clinic, City Hall Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[47]
T7East TulareTIMETulare Transit Center Mooney, Cos Tulare, Kohn School Tulare Transit Center30 (M–Sa)
60 (Sun)		[48]
T11XTulare to Visalia ExpressTIMETulare Transit Center J St, SR 99, SR 198 Visalia Transit Center60[49] [50]

Legacy systems

Dinuba

Under Dinuba Area Regional Transit (DART), Dinuba operated four routes, including one longer-distance route ("Dinuba Connection") connecting Dinuba to Reedley in Fresno County, two flexible routes ("North" and "South") allowing deviations to serve dial-a-ride passengers between nominal fixed route stops, and a fare-free single fixed route ("Jolly Trolley") serving popular businesses.[51]

Exeter

The City of Exeter began operating a dial-a-ride intracity on-demand transit service in 1991. Service to its larger neighbor Visalia is provided by Visalia Transit.[52] On July 1, 2017, Visalia Transit took over intracity dial-a-ride services within Exeter.[53] The steep fare increase, from $1 under Exeter to $2.25 under Visalia, resulted in citizens berating the City Council.

Farmersville

The City of Farmersville also relied on Visalia Transit for public transportation connections to Visalia, with Farmersville compensating Visalia annually from its transportation funding allocation.[54]

Lindsay

Dial-a-ride services within Lindsay were provided under annual agreements with Tulare County.[55] TCaT also provided service for circulation within Lindsay (Route 60)[56] and connections to Porterville and the neighboring unincorporated communities of Plainview, Poplar-Cotton Center, Strathmore, and Woodville (Route 90).[57]

Porterville

See main article: Porterville Transit. Porterville Transit operates six fixed routes within Porterville; there were nine fixed routes prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with one of the fixed routes providing service to the Tule River Indian Reservation.

Tulare

The City of Tulare operated the Tulare InterModal Express (TIME) transit service, which provided six fixed routes within Tulare and one express route, jointly operated with Visalia Transit, that connected those two cities.[58] [59] The six fixed routes within Tulare were named for their geographical coverage (#1 Northwest; #2 Southeast; #3 West; #4 Northeast; #5 Southwest; and #7 East); all routes, including Tulare–Visalia service (#11X) met at the central Tulare Transit Center (360 N. K St).[60] Sunday service was added in 2015.[61]

Tulare County

See main article: Tulare County Area Transit. Tulare County Area Transit (TCaT) provided mainly intercity routes, linking cities and communities within Tulare County.

Woodlake

Woodlake operated a dial-a-ride service within the city limits and unincorporated areas of the county starting in 1999; fixed intercity routes serving Woodlake were previously operated by Orange Belt Stages and TCaT.[62]

The Woodlake dial-a-ride service typically operated one of the city's three 16-passenger cutaway minibuses with the other two left in reserve. The Woodlake city bus connected with TCaT Route 30 at the Whitney Transit Center, which opened in October 2013 at 201 E Lakeview in downtown Woodlake;[63] in total, there were four bus shelters: one at Whitney and the others at local schools (Woodlake High School, F.J. White Learning Center, and Castle Rock Elementary).

Structure

Each member agency appoints one elected official and one alternate representative to serve on the TCRTA Board of Directors. TCRTA holds one meeting per month, scheduled for the third Monday at 3 PM.[64]

Fleet and facilities

Facilities

The Tulare County Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility (TOMF) held a grand opening on September 23, 2021. The TOMF can accommodate up to 25 buses with a building that includes administration, operations, dispatch, and maintenance facilities.[65] It is located near the county's Visalia Road Yard, at the intersection of Avenues 256 (Sierra) and 140 (South Lover's Lane).[66]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: TCRTA Bus Schedules and Maps . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  2. Web site: Agenda for Organizational Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . August 17, 2020 . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  3. Web site: Agenda: Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . September 21, 2020 . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  4. Web site: Agenda: Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . May 17, 2021 . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  5. News: Wheels are in motion for countywide transit . Ellis, Reggie . February 24, 2021 . The Sun-Gazette . 27 January 2022.
  6. News: Woodlake opts for minivan, holds off on bus for in-city riders . Myers, Paul . July 28, 2021 . The Sun-Gazette . 27 January 2022.
  7. Web site: Dinuba Area Regional Transit Guide . 2017 . City of Dinuba . 3 March 2022.
  8. Web site: Dinuba Connection Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  9. Web site: Route 10 North County . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  10. Web site: Route C10 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  11. Web site: Route 20 South County . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  12. Web site: Route C20 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  13. Web site: Route 30 Northeast County . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  14. Web site: Route C30 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  15. Web site: Route 40 Southeast County . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  16. Web site: Route C40 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  17. Web site: Route 50 Dinuba – London – Traver – Delft Colony . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  18. Web site: Route C50 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  19. Web site: Route 60 Lindsay . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  20. Web site: Route C60 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  21. Web site: Route 70 Porterville – Springville . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  22. Web site: Route C70 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  23. Web site: Route 80 Porterville – Terra Bella – Ducor . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  24. Web site: Route C80 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  25. Web site: Route 90 Lindsay – Strathmore – Plainview – Woodville – Poplar – Porterville . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  26. Web site: Route C90 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  27. Web site: Route D1 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  28. Web site: Route D2 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  29. Web site: Route D3 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  30. Web site: Route D4 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  31. Web site: Route P1 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  32. Web site: Route P1 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  33. Web site: Route P2 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  34. Web site: Route P2 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  35. Web site: Route P3 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  36. Web site: Route P3 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  37. Web site: Route P4 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  38. Web site: Route P4 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  39. Web site: Route P5 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  40. Web site: Route P5 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  41. Web site: Route P6 Map and Schedule . City of Porterville, California . 24 January 2022.
  42. Web site: Route P6 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  43. Web site: Route T1 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  44. Web site: Route T2 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  45. Web site: Route T3 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  46. Web site: Route T4 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  47. Web site: Route T5 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  48. Web site: Route T7 Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  49. Web site: Tulare InterModal Express (TIME) Guide . 2014 . City of Tulare . 4 March 2022.
  50. Web site: Route T11X Map and Schedule . Tulare County Regional Transit Agency . 3 March 2022.
  51. Web site: Dinuba Area Regional Transit Guide . City of Dinuba . 27 January 2022.
  52. City of Exeter Transit Development Plan . May 2014 . Moore & Associates . City of Exeter . 27 January 2022.
  53. Web site: Dial-A-Ride . City of Exeter . 27 January 2022.
  54. Web site: Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2020–2021 . City of Farmersville . May 2020 . 14 . 28 January 2022.
  55. Lindsay City Council Meeting: Regular Meeting . Resolution No. 19-13 . https://www.lindsay.ca.us/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/3901/2019-04-09_agenda.pdf#page=34 . April 9, 2019 . Camarena, Michael . City of Lindsay, California . 28 January 2022.
  56. Web site: Route 60 Lindsay . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  57. Web site: Route 90 Lindsay – Strathmore – Plainview – Woodville – Poplar – Porterville . Tulare County . 25 January 2022.
  58. Web site: Transit . City of Tulare, California . https://web.archive.org/web/20160703080810/http://www.tulare.ca.gov/departments/finance/transit . July 3, 2016 . dead.
  59. City of Woodlake Short-Range Transit Plan Extension . June 2019 . City of Tulare . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  60. Web site: Tulare InterModal Express Rider's Guide . City of Tulare, California . 2 February 2022.
  61. News: Tulare's bus system adds Sunday service, changes route time . Hernandez, Luis . August 5, 2015 . Visalia Times Delta . limited . 2 February 2022.
  62. City of Woodlake Transit Development Plan (Updated through 2021). August 12, 2019 . Moy and Associates . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  63. News: Transit Center pulls up City's downtown . October 23, 2013 . The Sun-Gazette . limited . 28 January 2022.
  64. Web site: Board of Directors . Tulare County Association of Governments . 27 January 2022.
  65. News: County touts new, bigger transit center . September 29, 2021 . The Sun-Gazette . 4 April 2022 . limited.
  66. County of Tulare 2015–2020 Transit Development Plan . Tulare County Association of Governments . June 2015 . County of Tulare, Resource Management Agency . 4 April 2022.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Tulare County Regional Transit Agency".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.