BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — Bakersfield's Golden Empire Transit is planning significant service changes for early 2026, including increased frequency on a popular route and a new pilot program connecting downtown areas.

At Tuesday's public hearing, transit officials presented plans to increase weekday bus frequency on Route 21, which runs east and west between California State University, Bakersfield and Bakersfield College. The enhanced service would provide trips every 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

"Well, it's one of our busiest routes, and to just move people faster, more efficiently, they've reduced the wait time," said Kathleen McNeil, marketing specialist with Golden Empire Transit.

The transit agency also introduced a new pilot route called T1, which would connect downtow

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