Project objectives include: • Conduct public outreach within communities served by rural transit providers, integrating the 2026 RTP/SCS outreach process and maintaining consistent study branding. • Develop strategies on how individual rural operators and individual social service transportation agencies will connect to current and future services with countywide and statewide public transit, privately owned transit bus services, passenger rail services (including the future HSR), and airline services. • Develop and update strategies to achieve a complete transition to zero-emission bus rollout plans (ICT Plan). • Provide recommendations for updating each rural transit operator’s existing Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan, utilizing data from Kern COG’s KARGO Study where applicable. The data for these updates should be available by December 5, 2024. • Develop strategies for ensuring transit service during climate related emergency events. • Coordinate with Project Partner at CalSTART on including results of the evaluation of long-haul transit technologies on Trans-Sierra Routes such and Tehachapi and Tejon Passes for Kern Transit and the Eastern Sierra Transit Authority. Mode options to be considered: • Micro-transit • Co-mingled accessible service (Paratransit) • Mobility management Organizational and funding options • Complement the existing rural services • Extend existing services first and last mile • Introduction of new services • Meet unmet demand • Provide services at the lowest cost while ensuring service quality • Assess equity and access to services
