The Blossom Express bus service will officially make its debut next week.

The 35-foot, environmentally-friendly transit – the bus uses compressed natural gas – will begin operating this Tuesday at several places along or near Main Street, Ripon, to the Save Mart shopping center east of Highway 99.

According to the City of Ripon website (see: www.cityofripon.org), the Blossom Express is scheduled to run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Thursday is the extended route to the Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto.

The Blossom Express departure routes are as followed:

• Ripon Elementary School, 700 block of West Main Street, 9 a.m., 9:45, 10:47, 11:35, Tuesdays; 9:02 a.m., 10:59, 12:40 p.m., Thursdays.

• Senior Center, 433 S. Wilma Ave., 9:06 a.m., 9:39, 10:51, 11:35, Tuesdays; 9:06 a.m., 11:03, 12:44 p.m., Thursdays.

• Bethany Manor, 200 block of Wilma Avenue, 9:13 a.m., 9:56, 10:58, 11:42, Tuesdays; 9:13 a.m., 11:10, 12:48 p.m., Thursdays.

• Bethany Town Square, 1360 Nikkel Way, 9:20 a.m., 10:05, 11:08, 11:50, Tuesdays; 9:20 a.m., 11:19, 12:55 p.m., Thursdays.

• Chesapeake Landing, Calhoun Avenue, 9:29 a.m., 10:14, 11:28, Tuesdays; 9:29 a.m., 10:50, 12:32 p.m., Thursdays.

• Save Mart shopping center, 1400 block of Goodwin Drive, 9:38 a.m., 10:40, 11:23, Tuesdays; 9:38 a.m., 10:44, 11:30, 12:25 p.m., Thursdays.

• Vintage Faire Mall, Modesto, 10:19 a.m., 11:54, Thursdays.

The bus is also equipped with two bicycle racks on the front for passenger use. Riders will be responsible for loading and unloading of their bike.

In addition, the bus operators request exact change for the one-way fare since they’re without loose change.

The one-way general fare is $2 (ages 5 through 59), $1 half fare (seniors age 60 and older, Medicare card holders, disabled), and toddlers are free. Children age 12 and under must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult.

Passes can be purchased at Ripon City Hall, 259 N. Wilma Ave., from 7:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.

For more information, call 209-599-2108.