The Blossom Express bus operates twice weekly from Ripon to Modesto.

This transit service is made possible by the Measure K Renewable Cooperative Agreement between the City of Ripon and the San Joaquin Council of Governments. The latter serves as the Local Transportation Authority under this six-year pact signed initially on July 2017.

The Ripon City Council approved a fourth amendment to that agreement at the Oct. 11 meeting, in order to receive funding to operate the Blossom Express through 2023.

The amount is not-to-exceed $54,112 – this is same figure from the current fiscal year.

For elected leaders, no discussion was necessary.

The Measure K Renewal coupled with fare box recovery, based on the ridership – projected at 661 ($2,000 in fares) – is a projected $56,112 in expenses for the upcoming year. This includes the RTD driver ($13,661), administrative / maintenance ($23,903), and contingency ($18,547).

Services for the Blossom Express consists of stops near Bethany Home and downtown in Ripon, to Kaiser Hospital and the Vintage Faire Mall Food Court in Modesto.

The transit services are Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with three daily trips.

Log on to www.cityofripon.org for more information on the Blossom Express.