The Porterville City Council is set to discuss plans for reestablishing bus routes, including service to Porterville College, during its meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on a date yet to be confirmed. If approved, the reinstated routes would go into effect on January 2, 2026. Earlier this year, the council voted to temporarily suspend bus routes 4 and 6, a decision aimed at improving operational cost recovery, but which also resulted in significant service gaps in key areas, particularly affecting access to educational institutions.
City staff reported that while operational changes were necessary, they highlighted the importance of restoring bus service to Porterville College. The council will consider proposals designed specifically to enhance fixed-route service and improve connections to vital educational, employment, and medical destinations, including the Family HealthCare Network.
Two preliminary concepts have been proposed: **Concept 4** and **Concept 5**. Concept 4 suggests a four-route design operating every 45 minutes, reinstating service south of downtown and along key corridors such as Westfield Avenue. This model aims to provide north-south connections to shopping areas on Prospect Street and Henderson Avenue, with each route linking to the downtown Transit Center and serving Porterville College, Sierra View Medical Center, and the South County Justice Center.
In contrast, Concept 5 consolidates the service into three routes with enhanced frequency. Route B would operate every 30 minutes along Morton Avenue, Henderson Avenue, and Main Street, ensuring direct access to Porterville College and downtown. Meanwhile, Routes A and C would operate hourly, providing essential connections to schools, medical facilities, and commercial centers.
Infrastructure Projects in Focus
In addition to bus service discussions, the council is also expected to approve the completion notification of the “Center” Friant-Kern Canal Turnout and Basin Project, managed by Romanazzi General Engineering. This project, which cost approximately $1.69 million, involved the installation of new water pipelines and concrete structures, aimed at meeting the requirements of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. It was funded by the Water Replacement Fund and was completed just under the authorized budget of $1.7 million.
Another significant topic on the agenda is the Butterfield Stage Corridor, an active transportation route designed to extend 3.9 miles along the former Southern Pacific Railway line. The project cost has now reached approximately $24 million, necessitating increased funding approval. This corridor will feature solar lighting, water stations, and controlled crossing systems, along with landscaping designed to enhance community access. During construction, additional work was required due to unexpected geological challenges, increasing costs to $1,862,539. The council is contemplating an additional $500,000 from the Storm Drain Developer Fund and $200,000 from the Water Replacement Fund to address these unforeseen expenses.
Hope Elementary School Water Improvement Initiative
Another critical item on the agenda is the proposed Hope Elementary School Water System Improvement Project. This initiative aims to connect the school, located just south of Porterville, to the city’s water system. Currently, the school relies on a single well that exceeds acceptable nitrate levels. The project will involve constructing new water mains along South Indiana Street and West Teapot Dome Avenue, with plans to remove the existing well and install fire hydrants every 500 feet along the proposed water main alignment.
City staff have indicated that the new system will provide a permanent solution for the school’s water needs, ensuring reliable access to clean water for domestic use, irrigation, and fire safety.
As these discussions unfold, the community awaits the council’s decisions, with hopes for improved transportation access and better infrastructure supporting educational and health services in Porterville.
