Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shafter council adopts resolution on unmet transit needs, staff outlines free-fare plan and capital grant qualifications
Summary
The Shafter City Council adopted Resolution 3-2008 after a staff presentation on unmet transit needs for FY2025–26. Staff described Saturday service funded by LCTOP, a planned free-fare program pending a dedicated transit dispatch, outreach to industrial employers, and qualification for roughly $2.08 million in zero-emission capital funding.
The Shafter City Council adopted a resolution addressing unmet transit needs for fiscal year 2025–26 after a staff presentation on March 4.
Rosio Mosa, accounting supervisor for federal grants and capital projects in the finance department, told the council the Transportation Development Act provides two primary funding streams — the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) and the State Transit Assistance fund (STA) — and described current and proposed services. She said Saturday service is funded through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) and that staff plans a transit survey and outreach to an industrial park to determine employee-route demand.
Mosa said staff has applied for a free-fare program through LCTOP but is holding implementation until the city hires a dedicated transit dispatcher. "Once we offer free fares, demand is likely to go up and we want dispatch capacity in place to handle the calls," she said.
She also told the council the city qualified for about $2.08 million under a zero-emission transit capital program (state funding subject to budget approval) intended for fleet replacement or a dedicated transit maintenance facility.
Council members asked operational questions. A staff response clarified that the current fleet includes two large buses and four vans, typically running three vehicles at a time, with most service provided on a demand-response basis and limited scheduled pickup points in town.
With no members of the public speaking, Mayor Given called for a motion. Council member Prout moved to adopt the resolution; Mayor Pro Tem Tim Ola seconded. The resolution passed by roll call with Prout, Ala, Espinosa and Given voting yes.
The resolution adoption allows the city to confirm transit needs before allocating any available TDA funding to streets and other non-transit purposes. Staff will return with operational details for the free-fare program and continue to pursue eligible state capital funding.
