Taking Turlock Transit to the next level

A public hearing regarding the adoption of the proposed Short-Range Transit Plan will be held on Tuesday, 2/25/20 at 6:00 p.m. in the Yosemite Community Room at Turlock City Hall.
The Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) is a five-year roadmap for Turlock Transit. It identifies strengths, challenges, and opportunities associated with service today, and uses this information to establish strategies over the next five years.  The SRTP covers everything from bus stops, routes, and schedules to fares, buses, facilities, and policies. Continue reading for a summary of proposed changes or download the draft Short-Range Transit Plan to review the full document.

Changes Proposed to take Effect on July 1, 2020:

  1. Adjustments to two fixed routes:
    1. Route 4: Inbound (return) portion of route will be adjusted to provide direct service to the Stanislaus County Public Library, but will result in a reduction of direct service to:
      1. East Avenue Manor. Residents can still access Route 4 at the nearby intersection of East Avenue and North Berkeley Avenue.
      2. Turlock High School. Students can still access Route 4 at the outbound bus stop at Colorado Avenue and Lyons Avenue.
    2. Route 6: Inbound and outbound portions of the route will be adjusted to serve Orange Street.  This adjustment will better serve the residential neighborhoods adjacent to Orange Street, though there will be a reduction of direct service along South Soderquist Road between West Main Street and South Ave.
  2. Adjustments to service spans on all routes:
    1. Service on Routes 1, 2, and 5 would end at 10:00 p.m. on weekdays instead of 9:00 p.m. currently (one-hour increase); and
    2. Service on Routes 3, 4, and 6 would end at 8:00 p.m. on weekdays instead of 9:00 p.m. currently (one-hour decrease); and
    3. Complementary ADA paratransit (Dial-a-Ride) availability would extend to 10:00 p.m. each weekday as well, as required by federal law.
    4. Potential changes to service on Saturday are still under evaluation.
  3. Elimination of regional transfers. Regional (intersystem) transfers would be eliminated, as MAX, Merced, and StaRT no longer use transfers. Local transfers on Turlock Transit would continue to be free.  This is a hybrid of two recommended scenarios proposed by the Consultant.
  4. Capital Improvements.  Detailed recommendations outlined in Chapter 10 of the SRTP are related to electric bus infrastructure and rolling stock, investments in technology, and bus stop infrastructure upgrades.
  5. Marketing and Promotional Improvements. Detailed recommendations outlined in Chapter 11 of the SRTP are related to improving communication with transit stakeholders, rebuilding the Turlock Transit website, and improving promotional activities.
  6. Staffing Improvements. Detailed recommendations outlined in Chapter 12 of the SRTP include increasing staffing levels and improving technical capacity, such as GIS capabilities and technical trainings.
  7. Financial Plan Strategies. Detailed recommendations outlined in Chapter 13 of the SRTP include adjusting vehicle purchase cycles, exploring additional revenue enhancing partnerships and opportunities, and better leveraging joint procurement opportunities with regional operators.  Some revenue opportunities include, but are not limited to, revenue from:
    1. Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) credits
    2. Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP)
    3. Enhanced advertising campaigns (buses, bus shelters)
  8. Minor operational enhancements. These changes include items that support implementing previously mentioned changes or don’t affect the traveling public directly, but do improve transit operations.
  9. Establish a new, limited-service, fixed route pilot project. The new service would operate each Tuesday between the Transit Center and specific, requested community destinations that are not already directly served with fixed route transit. This would be treated as a regular fixed route for fare purposes.  The initial concept includes:
    1. Provide regular service to the Turlock Sales Yard, with the potential for a stop near Downtown Turlock, during morning hours.
    2. Provide service to Ten Pin Fun Center, Hobby Lobby, and Regal Cinemas during afternoon and evening hours.
    3. The proposed concept requires more detailed development and in-field testing and is subject to change.
  10. Increase in Dial-a-Ride fares. Individual riders would pay $3.00 one-way for trips in Zones 1 & 2 or $4.00 for trips in Zone 3 (Denair).  Riders traveling in a pair would be charged a reduced rate of $2.00 per person, while groups of three or more would continue to pay $1.00 per person.
  11. Increase in fixed route fares as outlined below. The proposed increases are necessary to remain compliant with State-mandated fare recovery requirements.  Discount fares would continue to be provided at a 50% discount to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and honorably discharged military veterans.  A discount for students would continue to be provided at a 20% discount.
Fare Type
Regular (Existing)
Discount (Existing)
Student (Existing)
Regular (Proposed)
Discount (Proposed)
Student (Proposed)
Single Trip
$1.50
$0.75
$1.20
$2.00
$1.00
$1.50
Day Pass
$3.50
$1.75
$2.80
$4.00
$2.00
$3.00
31-Day Pass
$50.00
$25.00
$40.00
$60.00
$30.00
$48.00
Local Transfer
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Free
Regional Transfer
Free
Free
Free
None
None
None

Comments & Questions

Members of the public are welcome to the attend the public hearing on Tuesday, 2/25/2020 at 6:00 p.m. to learn more about the details of the SRTP and provide comments.  Comments are also welcome in writing via social media (Facebook & Twitter), via email (transit@turlock.ca.us) or mail (City of Turlock, Re: SRTP Comments, 156 S. Broadway, Suite 150, Turlock, CA 95380). Promotional materials are also available for printing, so feel free to share with interested parties.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Project Resources

Round 3 Flyer - English
File Size: 595 kb
File Type: pdf
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Round 3 Flyer - Spanish
File Size: 484 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Turlock Transit SRTP 2020-2024 - DRAFT
File Size: 21168 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Round 2 City Hall PowerPoint Presentation
File Size: 72449 kb
File Type: pptx
Download File
SRTP Round 2 Flyer 8.5x11 English
File Size: 725 kb
File Type: pdf
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SRTP Round 2 Flyer 8.5x11 Spanish
File Size: 728 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
SRTP Round 2 Flyer 11x17 English
File Size: 107 kb
File Type: pdf
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SRTP Round 2 Flyer 11x17 Spanish
File Size: 110 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Round 1 City Hall PowerPoint Presentation
File Size: 1598 kb
File Type: pdf
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Round 1 My Wish Cards
File Size: 14555 kb
File Type: pdf
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Round 1 Outreach Flyer 8.5x11
File Size: 723 kb
File Type: pdf
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Round 1 Outreach Flyer 11x17
File Size: 105 kb
File Type: pdf
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Nelson\Nygaard Proposal
File Size: 14893 kb
File Type: pdf
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Request for Proposals (inc. addendums)
File Size: 914 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File