Yes Yes
33 16
20 21
Years
Months
Project Life: For capital projects, state the project useful life in years. For operation projects, state the number of months a service will be funded.
Capital:
Operations: 12
Request LONP: Your agency has selected a start date prior to estimated Award Date of October 1 2026, please provide an explaination of your need to start your project before the Award Date. $297,854
Rollover Projects: Please provide the total number of years your agency plans to accumulate funds and how many years remaining, include this year.
Rollover Project: No
Total Years of Rollover:
Remaining Years of Rollover:
Funding: 99313: $246,662 99314: $51,192 Total:
Sub-Type: Provision of a new expanded/enhanced transit service Start date (anticipated) : 10/1/2026 End date (anticipated): 9/30/2027 Project Summary
Name: No more
than 2 lines
Expand and Enhance the V-LINE Shuttle Service.
Description
(Short): No
more than 375
characters.
The City of Visalia proposes to expand and enhance the V-LINE commuter service. The V-LINE provides transportation from Visalia to Fresno.
Type: Operations
Phone #: 559-713-4592 Congressional*:
E-mail [email protected] *if you have additional Districts, please provide a separate attachment Name: Angelina Baker Assembly*:
Title: Transit Manager Senate*:
E-mail: [email protected] E-mail:
Authorized Agent Legislative District Numbers
Title: Financial Analyst Title:
Phone #: 559-713-4592 Phone #:
Tulare County
https://www.visalia.gov
Tulare County Association of Governments
06 Lead Agency Name: City of Visalia
Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
FY 2025-2026 LCTOP: Cycle A
Lead Agency Information
Is your Cycle A and Cycle B project the same? Yes
Allocation Request Prepared by Contact (if different than "Prepared by") Name: Carmen Quevedo Name:
Caltrans District:
Does your agency have an approved Title VI Plan? Approved Date: 01/29/25 Title VI Attached:
County:
Agency Website:
Regional Planning Agency:
425 E. Oak Ave., Suite 301
Visalia, CA 93291
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 1 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
LCTOP funds are the primary funding source for this service. Additional funding will come from the Local Transportation Fund (LTF) to cover any additional costs above the LCTOP amount available.
Detailed Funding Information: This section should be completed to detail any CAP funds included in the “Prior” column, include the Project ID, amount of funds transferred, and CAP approval date(if available).
N/A
Total FY 24-25 LCTOP Funding $297,854
Fully Funded Project: Provide a description of all the funds that will be used to complete this project and how LCTOP funds will not supplant other funding sources. Include the project ID and awarded funding amount from prior rollover years.
Contact Phone #: 99314
Contact E-mails:
Contributing Sponsor: Amount: PUC Funds Type:
Contact Person: 99313
Contact Phone #: 99314
Contact E-mails:
Contributing Sponsor: Amount: PUC Funds Type:
Contact Person: 99313
Contact E-mails:
PUC Funds Type:
Contact Person: 99313
Contact Phone #: 99314
Contributing Sponsor: Amount:
Contact Phone #: 559-623-0470 99314
Contact E-mails: [email protected]
Contributing Sponsor: Tulare County Association of Governments Amount: PUC Funds Type:
Contact Person: Giancarlo Bruno $246,662 99313
Contact E-mail: [email protected]
Contact Person: Carmen Quevedo 99313
Contact Phone #: 559-713-4592 $51,192 99314
$0 $1,200,000
Lead Agency: City of Visalia Amount: PUC Funds Type:
Total: $0 $697,854 $502,146 $0 $0
$0 $454,266
Other Funds: $400,000 $345,734 $745,734
Total CCI: $0 $297,854 $156,412 $0 $0
$0
Other GGRF: $0
LCTOP Interest:
$78,175
Total LCTOP: $0 $297,854 $156,412 $0 $0 $0 $454,266
PUC 99314: $51,192 $26,983
Total
PUC 99313: $246,662 $129,429 $376,091
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Funding Information
Allocation Yr Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 2 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
$0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $745,734
TOTAL $0 $400,000 $345,734 $0 $0 $0 $745,734
Operations/Other $400,000 $345,734
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
FY 28-29 Total
PA&ED $0
$0 $454,266
Funding Source: Local Transportation Fund (LTF)
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 TOTAL $0 $297,854 $156,412 $0 $0
$0
Operations/Other $297,854 $156,412 $454,266
Equipment Purchase
$0
CON $0
R/W
$0
PS&E $0
PA&ED
Funding Source: Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP) Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 Total $0 $1,200,000
TOTAL $0 $697,854 $502,146 $0 $0 $0 $1,200,000
Operations/Other $0 $697,854 $502,146 $0 $0
$0 $0
Veh/Equip Purchase $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
CON $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
$0 $0
R/W $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
PS&E $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
FY 28-29 Total
PA&ED $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Funding Plan
Total Project Funding
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 3 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
$0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Veh/Equip Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Veh/Equip Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
Total
PA&ED $0
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 FY 28-29 $0
TOTAL $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Operations/Other
$0
Equipment Purchase $0
CON
$0
R/W $0
PS&E
FY 28-29 Total
PA&ED $0
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Funding Plan
Funding Source:
Component Prior FY 25-26 (A) FY 25-26 (B) FY 26-27 FY 27-28 Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 4 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
3) Project Costs - Provide an itemized breakdown of project components and describe how the cost estimations were developed. Please include marketing and bus wraps cost in this section. Total costs must correspond to the Funding Information section above. No more than 14 lines.
Project costs are primarily from the Transit contract operator. The V-LINE is operated by a third-party contractor, RATP Dev. The cost of operating the service is based on revenue hours and revenue miles. The costs incurred are for the operations. The LCTOP funds of $297,854 in Cycle A and $156,412 in Cycle B and Local Transportation Fund (LTF) of $745,734 for a total of $1,200,000 that will be used to operate V-LINE. Below is the projected breakdown to operate the V-LINE: Contractor operations = $1,065,700 (cost per hour $147.58 X 7,221 operating hours); fuel = $72,000; Staff time = $14,100; and Utilities = $48,200.
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Project Information
1) Project Description - Provide a comprehensive project description. For operations projects, include: #of trips, span, frequency improvements, days of operation and marketing component (if applicable). For capital projects, include:
product specifications and identify all LCTOP funded components. No more than 14 lines.
The City of Visalia V-LINE service operates seven days a week. The route starts at the downtown Visalia Transit Center, with stops at the Visalia Municipal Airport, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California State University Fresno, and the downtown Courthouse Park. The service offers six daily round trips a day (4am; 6am; 9am; 1pm; and 6:30pm). In 2022, an additional bus was added to four of the peak run times from Fresno State for students. The V-Line service has a fleet of five buses: 3 CNG cutaway 20 passenger buses and 2 40ft CNG 39 passenger buses. Ridership is projected to be 34,427 for this year. The funds will be used to cover the V-LINE operations. The larger buses will operate on the most popular runs Monday through Friday. The cutaways will be used on the weekends for all runs. 2) Project Planning - Provide a detailed explanation of the project planning process and how it was designed to avoid substantial burden on any low- income, disadvantaged, and vulnerable populations. Include any public outreach, events, workshops or community input. No more than 14 lines.
Over the years and prior to the implementation of the V-LINE Service, the City of Visalia received many requests for a commuter service from Visalia to Fresno. Staff assessed the need and had discussions with the entities about stop locations. Positive feedback was received on the project approach. The planning of the routes, fares, and times were developed. Funding was secured and the system was implemented. A huge marketing campaign was conducted via social media, newspapers, bus ads, radio, billboards, and e-mail blasts. The V-LINE improves the transit service levels by reducing green gas emissions by using transit compressed natural gas (CNG) buses rather than automobiles. This service provides low income in disadvantaged communities options to travel and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. In 2022, staff evaluated and adjusted the service levels by adding a bus to four of the peak run times from the California State University, Fresno for students. This service continues to be successful in getting passengers to airports, the university, and specialized medical services, that are currently not provided in Tulare County. Visalia Transit staff monitors the service by collecting the key performance indicators such as ridership, mileage, and cost to calculate the operating costs, farebox recovery ratio, passengers per hour, cost per passenger, and revenue per passenger.
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 5 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
5) Agency Service - Describe the transit service provided and how the project plays into the overall operations. . No more than 2450 characters.
The V-LINE service operates from the City of Visalia into the City of Fresno and back. It operates seven days a week with six daily trips with stops beginning at the Visalia Transit Center, Visalia Municipal Airport, Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California State University, Fresno, and the downtown Courthouse Park. The V-LINE compliments the other great services VT offers including other Tulare County Providers. VT offers Dial-A-Ride and the Sequoia Shuttle seasonal service to the Sequoia National Park. VT operates 13 fixed routes that serve the cities of Visalia, Exeter, Farmersville, Tulare, and the community of Goshen. Passengers can make connections from the Downtown Visalia Transit Center to the Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA), and Kings Area Rural Transit (KART). There are also connections to Amtrak and Greyhound. The fleet consists of CNG and battery-electric buses. This service compliments the rest of the VT services by providing additional transportation to specialized facilities, colleges, and airports. The V-LINE service continues to be a much needed service for the citizens of the Visalia urbanized area and surrounding communities. Ridership for this service is 32,423 (FY 2026). This is an 9.8% incarease over the previous year (FY 2025) of 29,246 riders.
6) AB 680 Workforce Standards to Support Job Quality -As part of your FY 25-26 LCTOP Allocation Request Packet please include an electronic copy of your agency's most recently approved procurement manuals.
Yes Did you submit your approved procurement manual as part of your FY 25-26 LCTOP Allocation Request Packet?
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Agency Information
4) Agency Fare - Describe your agency's fare structure including any discounts or special fares and how the project will affect that structure, if at all. No more than 16 Lines.
The V-LINE offers a one-way general fare for $10 and discounted for $9 (student/senior/disabled/veteran). General pass fares include:10-Ride Punch Pass (PP)= $90; 20-Ride PP = $180; 40-Ride PP = $280; Discounted pass fares include:
10-Ride PP = $80; 20-Ride PP = $140; 40-Ride PP = $240. Single ride pass or cash fare can be done onboard. Visalia Transit (VT) operates a fixed-route (FR) and Dial-A-Ride (DAR) service. FR General fare = $1.75; Seniors/Disabled/Military/Medicare card holder = 85 cents; 7-day and 31-passes are also available. DAR fare = $4.00 and discounted $2.25. A monthly pass is available. VT implemented micro transit services in June 2025, Visalia Connect, offering one-way $5 rides. VT operates the seasonal Sequoia Shuttle service for $15. This project will not impact fare structure.
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 6 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
FY 25-26 LCTOP Project GHG Emission
Reductions (MTCO2e) 626.81
This number is calculated based on the values from
above and the QM-Tool tab.
Total Project VMTs Reduced 1,462,926This number is calculated based on the values above.
Total Project GHG Emission Reductions
(MTCO2e) 626.81
This number is calculated based on the values from
above and the QM-Tool tab.
Project Useful Life 1This is calculated based on the values above.
Total Project Ridership Increased 32,423This is calculated based on the values above.
Adjustment (A) - Adjustment factor to
account for Choice Riders.Use defaults
values listed on
0.705
Default for long distance commute service.
Trip Length (L) - Length (miles) of average
auto trip reduced or average passenger trip
length. You may use defaults values list ed
on
64.00 Length from Visalia to Fresno from the first stop to the last stop on a one-way trip ncluding a stop at the
Visalia Airport.
Project Yr. 1 Ridership Increase - Estimated
annual ridership contributed by the new
service or capital improvement in Yr1.
32,423
Actual rideshhip for FY 2026 (July 2025 through June
2026).
Project Yr. F Ridership Increase - Estimated
annual ridership contributed by the new
service or capital improvement in YrF.
32,423
Actual Ridership increased 9.8% over previous year.
Previous year (FY 2025) ridership was 29,246 and in FY
2026 was 32,423.
Year 1 (Yr1) - First year of service, or year
that capital improvements will be
completed.
2026
Funding will start paying for expenses incurred
beginning 10/01/2026.
Year F (YrF) - Final year that the service is
funded or the final year of useful life for
capital improvements.
2027
V-LINE service continues through 09/30/2027.
Greenhouse Gas Reductions - Describe qualitatively how this project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The V-LINE service will reduce VMT and greenhouse gas emissions by replacing auto trips with Transit commuter service trips. Large and small CNG buses are used to operate the service (4am; 6am; 9am; 1pm;4pm; 6:30pm) will meet the demand and provide the opportunity of ridership increase. Each leg of the trip is roughly 64 miles for a total of 128 miles round trip.
Greenhouse Gas Reductions - Please provide quantitative information requested below and explanations supporting the data provided.
Value Explanation
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Project GHG Benefits
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 7 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
X X
X X
X
X X
Co-Benefits - Describe benefits selected above and other benefits not listed.
Improved Safety: Less automobiles on the road. Improved Public Health: The V-LINE service will continue to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to Tulare County and surrounding communities. Increase System Reliability: The additional combination of small and larger buses will meet the demand for passengers using this service. Coordination with Educations Institution: This service provides transportation to the California State University, Fresno. It provides connections to and from other community colleges at the Visalia Transit Center which is the downtown transit hub to all transportation services. Promotes Active Transportation: The V-LINE will encourage the use of public transportation, bicycling, and walking destinations. Promotes Integration w/other modes: The V-LINE will allow riders to use public transit buses to travel to the downtown Visalia Transit Center for all transportation connections.
Improved Public Health College Grades K-12
Reduced Operating/Maintenance Costs Promotes Active Transportation Increase System Reliability Promotes Integration w/ other modes Avoided Toll Cost ($/Roundtrip/Rider)
(Average avoided toll cost associated with
project)
$0.00
Co-Benefits - Check all additional Benefits/Outcomes.
Improved Safety Coordination with Educational Institution Transit Facility Parking Cost
($/Roundtrip/Rider) (Average cost to park to
use transit associated with project)
$0.00
Avoided Parking Cost ($/Roundtrip/Rider)
(Average avoided parking cost associated
with project)
$0.00
Baseline Average One-Way Fare Cost
($/One-Way Trip/Rider) (Average fare per
boarding, prior to project implementation)
$10.00 One-way fare.
New Average One-Way Fare Cost
($/One-Way Trip/Rider) (Average fare per
boarding resulting from project
implementation)
$10.00 One-way fare.
Value Explanation
Travel Cost Savings Benefits
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Project Benefits
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 8 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
e. The project proponents, or those acting on their behalf, prepared and followed a community engagement plan that meets the minimum criteria originally established by the Transformative Climate Communities Program Priority Population Community Engagement: Identify the specific assessment for the Community Engagement Co-benefit (High, Medium, Low): Medium
h. Developed project features or project alternatives collaboratively with the community by a communitybased organization, community-driven steering committee, or similar entity designed, planned, and implemented the project in whole or in significant part.
5. Considering all input opportunities, which of the following statements are true (check all that apply):
a.The participants comprised a broadly representative sample of the population potentially benefiting from, or affected by, the project.
b. Project proponents identified key community leaders and organizations and engaged them directly. c. The events and input opportunities were hosted at varied and accessible times and locations throughout the area potentially affected by the project and included both in person and online forms of engagement. Events and written materials were offered in languages other than English. d. The participation process was conducted or assisted by a professional facilitator or public participation expert.
b.Solicited and recorded written or spoken input from the community about specific aspects of the project or potential project alternatives before decisions on those aspects and alternatives were finalized. c.Incorporated proposals or ideas from the community into project alternatives or components. d.Reported back to the community on how the input in 4(b) and 4(c) was incorporated. e. Developed project features or project alternatives collaboratively with the community by having one or more workshops or other meetings in which the community developed a project alternative or specific component to address unmet community needs, which was subsequently included in the project’s application for funding or final design.
f. Developed project features or project alternatives collaboratively with the community by formal cooperation with a community-based organization (i.e., via a memorandum of understanding, community benefits agreement, steering committee, labor agreement, etc.) to acquire or distribute funding, identify project alternatives or project components, or otherwise enhance community engagement in project design, planning and implementation.
g. Developed project features or project alternatives collaboratively with the community by delegation of authority to choose between project alternatives or components to the community through a steering committee, organized voting process, representative community-based organization, or other means. 2) With regard to public events held by the project proponent to discuss this project proposal with the community, what was the approximate total attendance at those events? 40 3) With regard to other opportunities provided by the project proponent for community members to comment or provide input on the project, beyond those included in question 2, what is the approximate total number of people who provided commentary or input on the project through these opportunities?
20 4) Which of the following took place as part of the events & other opportunities identified? (Check all that apply):
a.Informed the community about various aspects of the project, including the process by which major decisions about the project would be made.
LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Community Engagement Co-Benefit
To estimate the community engagement co-benefit, users will respond to the five questions below. Based on the responses to the questions, the level of community engagement will be evaluated as low, medium, or high. 1) Is the project being proposed for LCTOP funding, a neighborhood-scale, city/regional-scale, or rural-scale project? City/Regional
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 9 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026
Agency can meet the DAC requirement by meeting any of the SB 1119 Project Criteria:
Is the project a transit fare subsidies or network and fare integration technology improvements, including, but not limited to, discounted or free student transit passes No
Is the project a purchase of zero-emission transit buses and/or purchase and installation of supporting infrastructure?
No
Is the project a new or expanded transit service that connects with transit service serving a disadvantaged communities?
Yes
Amount of FY 25-26 funds to benefit Low-Income Community: $44,766 Amount of FY 25-26 fund to benefit Low-Income Households and Residents within 1/2 mile of a DAC: $44,766 Total Amount of FY 25-26 LCTOP funds to benefit Priority Population (Total should not exceed total FY 25-26 LCTOP project funding): $297,854 The citizens of Tulare County requested and inquired for many years on service from Visalia to Fresno. Many of their needs were for transportation to specialized medical facilities, colleges, and connections to larger airports. Staff assessed the need, had several discussions with entities about where the bus stops would be installed. These entities included the Fresno Yosemite International Airport, California State University, Fresno, and the Fresno County Association of Governments. These entities were very supportive and positive of the project approach. The planning of the routes, fares, and times were developed in conjunction with identifying the bus stop locations. Once funding was secured, implementing the system was made possible. The V-LINE improves the transit service levels by reducing Step 3 - Provide a Benefit:Review the options below and select one that demonstrates how the project directly benefits the priority population identified in Step 1 and addresses the need identified in Step 2.
Priority Population Benefit: Select the benefit
your project provides to the community or
household.
D. Project improves mobility between key destinations and communities.
Please provide the amount of FY 25-26 LCTOP funds estimated to benefit Priority Populations.
Amount of FY 25-26 funds to benefit a Disadvantage Community (If you have a DAC, at least 50% must benefit a DAC) : $208,322 Is the project located outside of a disadvantaged community, but within 1/2 mile of a disadvantage community and within a low-income census tract? Yes
Step 2 - Identify a Need: Review the options and select one that explains how the community or household need for the priority population identified in Step 1 was determined.
Priority Populations Community Needs Description: Describe the community or household need and how it was identified. If option “B. Local Documentation” was chosen, briefly describe the documentation. If option “C. Data Tools” was chosen, include the name of the tool in the description.
A. Direct Engagement: Engage local residents and community groups in meetings, workshops, or other opportunities as part of the planning process to identify community or household needs, and document how the engagement informed the design and/or selection of projects to address those needs.
Does your Agency's Service Area have a Disadvantaged Community? (as defined by SB 535) Yes Is the project located within the boundaries of a Disadvantaged Community census tract? Yes Is the project located within the boundaries of a Low-Income community census tract? Yes LCTOP FY 2025-2026 Allocation Request Cycle A
Priority Populations Benefits
Step 1 - Identify the Priority Population: Determine if the project is at least partially located within a Priority Population census track or will benefit Priority Population households.
Division of Local Assistance
Low Carbon Transit Operations Program Page 10 of 10
Sheet Name: Allocation_Request
Rev. 1-2026