Tulare County transit agencies expand microtransit pilot; $5 one‑way fare, app and call‑in options explained

Tulare County transit officials outlined an expansion of zone‑based, on‑demand “microtransit” services and answered questions about fares, hours, accessibility and outreach during the county task force meeting.

Giancarlo, a staff member with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG), described microtransit as a demand‑response, zone‑based service that typically uses shuttle‑sized vehicles and an app for routing. He said the service is intended to supplement — not replace — fixed‑route buses by matching vehicle type to local demand. “It is public transit,” Giancarlo said. “Depending on the current demand, you could share a ride.”

Officials said the service model varies by zone. In urban areas the agencies target an average 30‑minute pickup time; in rural zones the average pickup window is closer to about an hour. Porterville’s branded service runs longer weekend hours than some zones: Porterville Transit operates roughly 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday–Saturday and about 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, officials said. Visalia and TCRTA (Tulare County Regional Transit Agency) operate separate branded apps (Visalia Connect; TCRTA Transport) and a unified “green line” phone number is available for callers who prefer to reserve rides by phone.

Fares, vehicles and discounts

TCRTA charges a $5 one‑way fare for most microtransit trips. Officials said discounts apply: $1 off trips that start or end at a transit center and $2 off for ADA‑eligible or Medicare beneficiaries. Agencies reported a regional fleet deployment of about 10 vans, roughly five of which are operating in the Visalia–Tulare metro area.

Accessibility and partnerships

Transit staff said all microtransit vans are wheelchair‑accessible, equipped with lifts or ramps, and drivers carry tablets with GPS plus radio contact to dispatch. Derek, a TCRTA representative, said the agency has commingled its dial‑a‑ride service with microtransit and retains a call‑in option to accommodate riders who do not use smartphone apps.

To reduce cost barriers, agencies have started partner agreements that let organizations book and pay for trips on behalf of clients. Giancarlo listed Central Valley Regional Center and Tulare County Health and Human Services Agency as current partners and said Porterville Transit has an agreement with Sierra View Medical Center. Those agreements are billed monthly to partnering organizations.

Outreach and next steps

Officials said they will launch a yearlong advertising push and community outreach that will include social media, event booths (for example, Oktoberfest) and direct distribution through nonprofits, senior centers and service providers. Angelina, a Visalia Transit representative, asked nonprofits to host hands‑on workshops to show clients how to use apps or the phone‑in option, and transit staff volunteered to run “how‑to” sessions at agencies and senior centers.

Agencies emphasized they are still piloting the model; they will monitor ridership patterns and may adjust fixed routes where microtransit proves more efficient. “We’re testing this out to see where it works and where it doesn’t,” Giancarlo said.

Why this matters

Local nonprofit staff and task force members said the $5 fare and phone‑in booking make microtransit an affordable and practical option for many residents, particularly workers and students who face long round‑trip costs by private vehicle. Agencies asked partners to help publicize the service and to consider voucher or agency‑billing arrangements for frequent riders.

Next steps and materials

Transit staff said they will circulate a PDF of the presentation with zone maps, operating hours and phone numbers. They also offered to run onsite demonstrations for agencies and senior centers by appointment.