Turlock transit staff outline short-range plan, community outreach and free July service

Turlock transit staff provided a short-range transit plan update, describing current data collection, community engagement and next steps toward short‑term actions and eventual long-range planning.

Staff said ridership has increased sharply while operating costs rose and revenue has not kept pace; the transit plan will focus on practical, sustainable short-term actions and later on multimillion-dollar facility and zero-emission transition planning. Consultants Nelson—yNygaard were engaged to support the process.

The outreach program will include a community survey (available via QR code and at turlocktransit.complan), pop-up events across the city, bilingual workshops in English and Spanish, and onboard rider surveys conducted by identifiable surveyors. Staff emphasized stakeholders extend beyond riders to include taxpayers, partner agencies and businesses.

Staff also announced that Stanislaus and Merced counties are partnering to offer free transit in Turlock during July and a free fair shuttle from the transit center to the fairgrounds; staff said riders can expect some promotional items and water at the transit center during the fair shuttle service.

Council thanked staff and encouraged participation in forthcoming outreach. Staff said results will be packaged into scenarios, returned for public feedback, refined and ultimately brought to council for adoption.