Council directs phased rebrand of transit vehicles and adopts amended transit budget

Porterville’s council on Feb. 4 gave staff direction to phase a rebrand of the city’s transit fleet and approved an update to the FY 2024–25 transit budget and program of projects.

Why it matters: Council signaled interest in modernizing the fleet’s appearance and civic branding while balancing costs and vehicle replacement schedules. Separately, staff presented a final reconciliation of federal and state allocations (including SB 1/25 funding) that increased the program of projects’ capital assistance and adjusted the local match requirement.

Rebranding: staff presented a concept (American‑flag motif and the motto “In God We Trust”) and a high‑level estimate to wrap the entire fleet. Staff advised the full‑fleet cost could be approximately $285,000 and take about 130 days to complete; an alternative phased approach tied to new vehicle deliveries would reduce near‑term cost. Council asked staff to develop renderings and recommended an initial phase wrapping six high‑ridership route buses plus four micro‑transit vans; staff will return with updated renderings and a refined cost estimate.

Budget amendment: staff requested adoption of a cleanup amendment to include final reconciled federal/state capital assistance and SB 1/25 funds; the amendment increased federal/state capital assistance and reduced the local match slightly, raising the transit program total modestly (numbers in staff report updated to reflect reconciliation). Council approved the draft resolution to adopt the amended fiscal year 2024–25 transit division budget and program of projects and authorized submission of updates to TCAG and FTA.

Direct quote from staff - “The estimated cost is almost 285,000. It would take about a hundred and 30 days to rebrand the entire fleet,” transit staff said during the presentation.

Council action - Direction on rebranding: council asked staff to return with multiple design renderings and to phase wraps on prioritized vehicles (discussion, no formal ordinance vote). - Transit budget amendment: motion to adopt staff recommendations and authorize submittals to regional/federal agencies; vote: 5–0 — outcome: approved.

What happens next: staff will produce alternative renderings, refine the cost breakdown for a phased wrap (six route buses and four micro transit vans were discussed as an example) and return the item for final design selection and budget authorization if needed. The amended transit program of projects will be filed with TCAG/FTA as directed.