Regional Public Transit
The Regional Public Transit Program aims to boost public transit services and help people leave their cars behind when they want to. It improves the ability to travel around town for seniors, people with disabilities, and those who rely on public transit. Plus, it will enhance air quality.
Measure C gives about 19.7% of its funding to three (3) transit agencies in Fresno County. These are Fresno Area Express (FAX), Clovis Transit, and Fresno County Rural Transit Agency (FCRTA). FAX receives 13.7%, Clovis receives 2%, and FCRTA receives 4% of each year’s funding.
Each transit operator puts together an annual expense report. They track their operating costs, miles driven, customers served, and number of employees. Then they send this information to the Fresno Council of Governments (COG) for an annual productivity review. COG’s transit operations consultant reviews the information and creates a performance audit every three years. This audit suggests ways to improve transit efficiency.
This program gets 24% of Measure C’s funds.
Other programs supported:
- Public Transit Infrastructure Study (PTIS) – .3% of the Measure
- ADA/Senior Scrip/Paratransit – .8% of the Measure
- Ag Vanpool Subsidy Program – .6% of the Measure
- Commuter Vanpool Subsidy Program & Carpool Incentive Program – .6% of the Measure
Featured Programs
Public Transit Infrastructure Study (PTIS)
Fresno’s Public Transportation Infrastructure Study (PTIS) started in late 2008. Its goal was to find ways to invest in transportation and land use to lower the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and enhance mobility options for Fresno County residents. Improving transportation choices for Fresno County and City of Fresno residents means making transit, bicycling, and walking better than driving alone on every trip. The $2.6 million study was completed in 2010.
ADA/Senior Scrip/Paratransit
About $7.9 million from Measure C has been raised so far for this category. This money supports the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Senior Scrip, and Paratransit programs. These programs give more transportation options to the region’s most vulnerable residents.
Paratransit services, such as FAX’s Handy Ride and Clovis’ Round-Up, offer tailored trips from curb to curb. These services help elderly and disabled residents who can’t use regular bus routes.
Senior Scrip
Measure C’s Senior Scrip offers a 75 percent discount on traditional taxi or Uber/Lyft fares to Fresno County residents who are 70 and older. For $25, you can purchase $100 in paper “scrip” or electronic credit that may be used through the third-party Go-Go-Grandparent service. Eligible seniors may purchase up to $200 in scrip every month. Roughly $7.2 million has been budgeted for this program since 2007.
New Technology Reserve
The New Technology Reserve Program funds innovative transportation technologies in Fresno County. This program supports projects that use advanced technology to improve transportation systems, and make travel safer, easier and better for the environment.
Rideshare Programs
An additional $10.6 million is allocated in Measure C for carpool and vanpool programs. These programs help daily commuters in the Fresno region.
VanPerks
The Measure C vanpool subsidy programs provide monthly cash help for commuter and ag worker vanpools. They also help pay for:
- leasing costs
- driver medical exams
- emergency rides home
- driver replacement costs
- parking
- and more!
CarPerks
The Measure C Carpool Incentive Program, CarPerks, gives rewards to people who carpool in Fresno County. This encourages people to share rides, cuts down on traffic jams, lowers air pollution, and reduces greenhouse gases. The Measure C CarPerks program is for carpool and vanpool riders. If you’re 18 or older and share rides to or from Fresno County, you can join. Participants’ car/vanpool must start and/or end in Fresno County.
The Valleyrides.com website offers free online rideshare service and commuter information. It is paid for in part by Measure C. It helps match people into carpools and has information for commuters who use it.
