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Ripon transit bus service set for December launch
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RIPON – The City of Ripon will be hosting a public workshop at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, with the goal of accepting feedback on the new transit plan.

The Council Chambers is located at 259 N. Wilma Ave.

Thus far, the services involving the compressed natural gas transit bus call for two days per week to the nearby Save Mart shopping center and the Vintage Faire Mall / Target in Modesto.

The bus arrived earlier this month.

City Engineer Kevin Werner indicated at Tuesday’s Ripon City Council meeting that services – the 35-foot CNG transit bus was made possible by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant – are scheduled to begin in December.

Elected leaders, meanwhile, unanimously agreed to contract with the San Joaquin Regional Transit District on hiring of the driver. RTD, in turn, would be responsible for providing a substitute driver as well as any training, screening, and drug / alcohol testing.

Covered under the CMAQ grant – this grant also pays for the first three years of operating expenses – and Measure K Renewal transit funding, the driver hired would get $50 per hour based on the projected start-up service. After that, the annual cost of operation for the proposed transit service is to not exceed $50,000 per year.

Council accepted the Ripon Short Range Transit Plan in January 2011, recommending back then fixed-route services.

According to the proposed schedule, the new transit services include picking up riders at Ripon Elementary School, the Senior Center, Bethany Town Square, and Chesapeake Landing, to Save Mart and Vintage Faire Mall / Target.

Fares for adults (age 18 to 64), for example, would be $1.50 on the one-way fixed route, $3 for a day pass, and a $20 monthly pass. Fares for students with the proper ID, seniors (65 and older) and the disabled (Medicare card holders) would be significantly lower.

For more information, call Ripon City Hall at 209-599-2108 or log on to www.cityofripon.org.