Tulare InterModal Express
The Tulare InterModal Express (TIME) was a public transportation system serving the city of Tulare, California and surrounding areas in Tulare County, California. It had provided fixed-route bus service and demand-response transit (Dial-A-Ride), connecting residential neighborhoods, commercial centers, and regional destinations.
Originally operated by the City of Tulare, TIME is now part of RIDE Tulare County as part of a broader effort to unify transit services across the county.
01History
TIME was established to provide local bus service within Tulare, offering residents an alternative to private vehicle travel. Over time, the system expanded to include multiple routes covering different parts of the city, as well as regional connections.
In 2021, operations were consolidated into RIDE Tulare County, following the creation of a joint powers authority to manage transit across multiple cities in Tulare County.
02Services
Fixed-route service
TIME operates several fixed bus routes throughout Tulare. These routes are designed to connect key areas of the city and typically converge at a central hub:
Historically, TIME operated six local routes and one express route connecting to Visalia, California.
A key regional route includes:
- Route 11X (Tulare-Visalia Express), providing service between Tulare and Visalia.
Dial-A-Ride
TIME operates a Dial-A-Ride service within Tulare city limits. This curb-to-curb service is available to the general public, with priority often given to seniors and individuals with disabilities.
03Service area and operations
- Service area: Tulare city limits
- Operating hours:
- Monday-Friday: Approximately 6:15 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
- Saturday-Sunday: Reduced hours
- Holiday service: Not operated on major holidays such as Christmas and Independence Day.
04Routes and connectivity
TIME routes are structured to allow transfers at the Tulare Transit Center, enabling riders to move between routes efficiently.
| Route | Route name | Terminus | Via | Terminus | Headway |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Tulare Regional Medical Center; Sports Park; Pleasant School; Maple School | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 2 | Southeast Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Martin Luther King Jr. Ave & O St.; Bardsley Ave & Mooney Blvd.; Blackstone St & Bardsley Ave | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 3 | West Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Westside Community Health Clinic; Senior Center; Skate Park | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 4 | Northeast Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Prosperity Ave; Target; Walmart; Vallarta | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 5 | Southwest Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Bardsley Ave & Pratt St.; K St & Goodin Ave; Hillman Clinic; Tulare Aviation Department | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 7 | East Tulare | Tulare Transit Center | Mooney Blvd; College of the Sequoias (Tulare); Kohn School | Tulare Transit Center | About every 30 minutes weekdays/Saturdays; hourly Sundays |
| 11X | Tulare-Visalia Express | Tulare Transit Center | Mooney Blvd; Mineral King Ave | Visalia Transit Center (Visalia, California) | About every 30 minutes (express service) |
The system connects with regional transit providers including Tulare County Area Transit via Tulare Transit Center and Visalia Transit via the 11X, allowing for extended travel across Tulare County.
05Administration
TIME is now operated since 2021 under RIDE Tulare County, a joint powers agency formed by multiple cities and the County of Tulare to coordinate regional transit services.
06Planning and reports
Transit planning and performance for TIME have been evaluated through regional audits and reports conducted by the Tulare County Association of Governments.
Sources and credits
This article is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Tulare InterModal Express”, written by its contributors and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Fathomly has changed the layout, removed citation markers, navigation and maintenance notices, and adjusted punctuation. This adapted version is shared under the same license. For references, see the original article.
Images, from Wikimedia Commons:
- TIME Gillig 2.jpg by LA1745, CC0
- Tulare InterModal Express Routes.pdf by Unknown/uncredited graphic artist(s) for the City of Tulare, Public domain
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