Manteca’s first turnout for buses is being built on Spreckels Avenue by the Target store.
It is one of 14 bus stops complete with shelters for the Manteca Transit system that the City Council authorized building Tuesday.
The installation of benches, trash receptacles, solar lighting, and shelters plus site improvements at the bus stops will be done by ND Electrical Construction for $119,445.30. The work is being funded by stimulus money Manteca received from the federal government for transit projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
The only bus stop that will have a turnout is on Spreckels Avenue. That’s because it is on a curve almost directly across from Norman Drive that-intersects with Spreckels. Project manager Johanna Ferriera pointed out that while the posted speed limit is 35 mph traffic more often than not goes faster.
The intersection this past weekend was the location of two incidents involving a bicyclist and pedestrians tangling with vehicles.
Work will start in the coming weeks with the goal to have all bus stops completed before the rainy season returns.
The bus shelters are being placed at the 14 heaviest used locations. They are North at Cottage (Doctors Hospital), Northwoods at Yosemite (Grocery Outlet), Pestana at Yosemite (In-Shape), Spreckels at Norman (Target), Center at Magnolia (Civic Center), Yosemite at Union (Save Mart), Stadium Retail Center, Yosemite at Union (McDonald’s), Main at Mission Ridge (Walmart), The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, Main at Louise (Walgreens, Main at Louise (La Estrella), Union at Lathrop (Almond Terrace), and Cherry at Eucalyptus (Senior Center). The three Main Street shelters will also serve Regional Transit buses that offer service to Stockton.
Manteca Transit ridership hit a record 5,572 riders in June on both the fixed route and Dial-A-Ride service combined. That is up is up 32 percent over last year when 4,213 passengers rode the buses. Ridership has grown yearly since service was launched in 2009. The June 2009 ridership was at 3,540 passengers.
The transit station now under construction at South Main Street and Moffat Boulevard will serve as the hub for Manteca Transit when it is completed in April of 2013.
Manteca Transit fixed route buses and Dial-A-Ride buses run Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. While Dial-A-Ride door-to-door service is restricted on weekdays to the handicapped, a general Dial-A-Ride service is available on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fare each way is $2. Exact change is required as drivers do not carry change.
For more information call Manteca transit at 239-9236 or go to www.ci.manteca.ca.us/mantecatransit/
Bus turnout being built on Spreckels near Target store

