Turlock bus riders may soon have another option to get to popular stops not accessible under the current route system as the City is considering starting up a new shuttle service.
The City will host two sets of meetings to receive public input about the shuttle service program.
“For example, we’ve received feedback from multiple stakeholders that they would like direct service to the Turlock Library, as currently a passenger on Route 4 would need to walk a few blocks from the nearest bus stop. So, if that location was served by this community shuttle, then someone could board Routes 1-6 anywhere in the City and then transfer to the community shuttle at the Turlock Regional Transit Center for direct access. That’s the general concept,” said Turlock Transportation Engineering Supervisor Wayne York.
The first set of meetings will be to discuss transit needs and take input on when and where a shuttle service should operate. Those meetings will be held at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 25 at City Hall, 156 S. Broadway. The second set of meetings will be to present draft concepts of the program and are set for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 21 at City Hall.
Those who are unable to attend a meeting but still want their input considered can email transit@turlock.ca.us or send a letter to Turlock Transit, 156 S. Broadway, Suite 150, Turlock, CA 95380. According to York, feedback provided during public transit meetings held in 2017 will also be considered.
Over the past two years, the City of Turlock has implemented a number of changes to the City’s bus system, from installing new electronic fare boxes to extending service hours and a complete overhaul of the bus routes.
The Turlock City Council contracted a new transit operations and management company in September 2017 — Storer Transit Systems; and construction is currently underway for an operations facility at the site of the Turlock Transit Center, on the corner of Golden State Boulevard and Fulkerth Road. The 6,092-square foot, single story office building will have office space for City transit operations, ticketing window, lobby with public restrooms and unimproved cold shell space. The project also includes: three shade structures, with approximate covered areas of 3,800 square feet, 1,200 square feet and 1,800 square feet constructed over existing passenger waiting areas; installation of photovoltaic arrays; a 77-space concrete parking lot; and site improvements, such as site lighting, landscaping and pedestrian facilities.
While the City reported the newly named Turlock Transit system has made riding the bus easier for the many residents who rely on public transportation, there are a number of issues that still need to be addressed.
When the bus routes were changed in June 2016 from four one-way loops to six bi-directional fixed routes, a number of popular stops were omitted like the stop in front of the Turlock Library and Senior Citizens Center and stops close to the Turlock Irrigation District office on Canal Drive and the U.S. Post Office on East Main Street.
