Ripon is looking at ways to improve the ability of residents without access to a car to be able to get around the community to reach medical appointments, shop, and access services.
The City Council when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. will look at a short range transit plan addressing possible service changes over the next 10 years.
Ripon uses a combination of countywide Measure K sales tax as well as state and federal money that is allocated to communities for the specific purpose of public transit to fund its ride service.
If the money is not used, it is returned to the agency. It can not be used for other purposes.
One option is to expand the San Joaquin Regional Transit VanGo! service Ripon resident can currently use an app to schedule a trip to any destination within San Joaquin County.
That service is available seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The council is considering expanding its contract for VanGo! to support Ripon commerce and community engagement.
It would allow scheduling of trips to and from the Ripon Farmers Market that operates on Thursdays from May to September. The cost would be $4.
The city could also add VanGo! availability within the city limits on Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 9 p.m. for $4.
The basic VanGo! service Ripon residents can access is $4 per ride plus 50 cents a mile for trips longer than 5 miles.
The city is also looking at expanding its Dial-A-Ride service by hiring a part-time driver available to provide rides Monday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It would require making reservations 24 hours in advance.
It would be for travel in Ripon or to anywhere in Stanislaus County.
The general public fare would be $15 per one-way trip. Seniors and those that are disabled would be charged $5 per one-way trip.
The current Dial-a-Ride on-demand door-to-door service for qualifying disabled and older is generally operated on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and costs $15 travel within the city’s 15-mile radius.
The plan also continues the current fixed route Blossom Express Service.
The Blossom Express fixed route service operates on Tuesday and Thursdays between 9:25 a.m. and 2 p.m.
It provides service to various location in Ripon and Modesto, including Save Mart, Bethany Home, Ripon Library, Target, Vintage Faire Mall, and Kaiser Medical Center.
The service is coordinated with San Joaquin Regional Transit District Route 91 service and the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority Route 48 for transfers within San Joaquin County and Stanislaus County, respectively.
Regular fare is $2 for a one-way trip or $4 for a full day pass.
The current transit services are projected to cost $121,772 during the 2026-27 fiscal year.
The proposed expansion would cost $122,330 for the upcoming fiscal year, bringing the overall transit budget to $244,102.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
