Golden Empire Transit

Prior to the mid-1950s, public transportation in Bakersfield was provided by a private company named the Bakersfield Transit Company (formerly the Bakersfield and Kern Electric Railway). However, yearly losses resulted in the city acquiring it in 1956, under the new name Bakersfield Transit Agency. The city made little investments in the system. Already suffering from deferred maintenance from the previous owner, the lack of investment resulted in the system sinking into further disrepair. Operating losses were also increasing.[1]

In 1973, voters approved a measure which established the Golden Empire Transit District. It would take over ownership and operation of the Bakersfield Transit Agency. The new transit district started purchasing new equipment. It also eliminated unnecessary routes. In 1986, the transit authority would undergo its first major alteration in the system. Previously, routes were running in circular routes. The company changed to a crosstown system. Buses operated on linear paths, and generally looped back when the bus needed to change direction. They also operated between transit hubs. The first was located downtown (Downtown Transit Center). Later a second was added at the Valley Plaza Mall, in the Southwest (Southwest Transit Center). A third transit center was built in 2011 on Panorama Drive at Bakersfield College. Golden Empire Transit implemented a new system of routes on October 7, 2012. The system transitioned from a crosstown system to an express/local system. Although the agency divides the system into five categories, it is easier to describe it in three: Express, Rapid, and Local. Express service runs between major destinations on the most direct route. It also makes a limited number of stops. Rapid service runs more frequently than express and makes more stops between end points. Local routes stop most frequently. Routes have been straightened for faster service.[2]

The following are Golden Empire Transit fares, effective October 1, 2017[22] (children below 6 ride for free with fare-paying rider, limit is 3):[23]

Golden Empire Transit currently uses GFI Odyssey fare box machines on its standard buses. They validate all US Coins and paper money through $20 bill, although it does not accept pennies nor give change.[23] It also validates all ride passes used on fixed routes.[24] GET-a-Lift multi-ride passes are punch cards, and do not have a magnetic strip.

There are several features of the Odyssey machines that GET are not currently using, but could be implemented in the future. They include: processing credit cards, providing change in the form of printing pre-paid cards, deducting from pre-paid cards, and printing/validating transfer slips.[25] Some of these features would require changes to GET's fare structure.

GET ride passes can be purchased with a variety methods. They can be bought in person at the Downtown Transit Center or GET headquarters on Golden State Avenue. They are also available at a variety of partner retail stores throughout the city (listed on their web site). Passes can also be purchased by mail or by phone.[26] Beginning in 2018 fares are also available to purchase in the Token Transit mobile ticketing app.[27]

Golden Empire Transit's bus fleet generally consist of two types of buses, 40' standard buses for fix routes and 21' for demand buses (GET-a-Lift service). The entire fleet is powered by compressed natural gas. The standard buses have a 38-seat capacity, and a low floor design to assist with handicapped passengers. The demand buses have a 9-seat capacity, and have a wheelchair lift in the rear.[28]

As part of its 2009 rebranding, GET is transitioned to a new bus color scheme. The paint scheme is blue, with a green bottom. A wavy yellow line separates the blue and green space. Near the front, the green section is wide enough for the "sunburst" GET logo. Only the newer buses have it. The older paint scheme is entirely white, with a red strip through the center. There is a break in the line for the old "fast transit" GET logo, which was in use from 1973-2009. As of 2015, certain routes have been changed, and the bus stops have been labelled with extra information. And GET has a new app to locate where the bus is.

In addition, GET owns a variety of service vehicles. These range from sedans, to pickup trucks, to small flat bed trucks. There is also one tow truck in the fleet. These vehicles are generally numbered between 1 and 99.[28]

Golden Empire Transit's Maintenance Facility is located on Golden State Highway, next to the Kern River (on the north frontage road). GET moved here after outgrowing the previous facility located on 16th Street adjacent to the Oak Street bridge. The current location also contains the headquarters for the transit authority. In addition to containing parking for the entire fleet, it also contains shops, bus wash, and cleaning facilities.

Golden Empire Transit is currently partnering with California State University, Bakersfield to construct a transit center at the university. Development of the transit center is contingent on receiving government funding for the project.[29]