The Ripon City Council recently agreed on the Measure K Renewal funds from the San Joaquin Council of Government, which also serves as the local transportation authority.
By doing so, elected leaders, under this pact with SJCOG, will again receive money necessary “to utilize service frequency and expand service hours,” according to City Administrator Kevin Werner on the local transit service that goes from Ripon to Modesto.
Route 1 is a fixed schedule, connecting riders from Ripon’s Blossom Express bus to the Vintage Faire Mall on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., while making two to three daily trips.
“The City of Ripon Transit Service is expected to serve approximately 1,500 passengers in a 12-month period,” said Werner in his report to the City Council. “The City’s transit services provide approximately 400 revenue service hours annually.
“The project funds will cover the equivalent of approximately 360 revenue hours annually.”
The estimated cost for the operation of this bus service is $51,150. The Measure K Renewal co-op agreement can cover up to 97 percent of that or $50,000. The City has other sources to cover the difference.
“What happens if all of the $50,000 (for the Blossom Express) is not spent,” Councilman Leo Zuber asked.
Werner responded, saying: “It can be used for other capital purchases that pertain to transportation,” he said.
Werner listed the planned Modal transit station or bike racks for the buses as such examples.
Measure K is a half-cent sales tax for improved transportation throughout the county.
“This funding is a specific category (of Measure K) and will continue for another 25 years,” Werner added.
In order to receive funding, Ripon and other SJC cities are required to go through a renewal process each year.