Escalon bus service is suspended. Here’s what riders can do until it’s restored
Escalon’s bus service, called eTrans, will stop transporting passengers temporarily.
The city’s contract with Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority will end, effective 5 p.m. Friday, said John Andoh, transit manager for Escalon.
It doesn’t mean bus service is a thing of the past for residents of Escalon, a small city in southern San Joaquin County.
Andoh said the city is searching for a private contractor to operate the service. The city expects to have an agreement with a new contractor within three months, he said.
Escalon’s small transit service operates like a dial-a-ride inside the city and also connects with an intercity bus taking passengers to stops in Modesto, such as Vintage Faire Mall, Kaiser Permanente and Walmart on North McHenry Avenue. The service has a Riverbank connection.
Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority notified Escalon in April that it would stop operating eTrans at the end of 2022, Andoh said. SRTA, created in July 2021, has concentrated on merging Modesto Area Express, or MAX, bus service with Stanislaus Regional Transit.
Andoh said Escalon sent a letter in June asking the SRTA board to reconsider the decision and work out details of a new agreement, but the transit authority did not reply.
“The small size of the transit service makes it difficult for the national companies to bid adequately on the eTrans service due to lack of operations and maintenance facilities,” Andoh’s letter said.
The letter said eTrans has been beneficial to Modesto by bringing Escalon residents for recreation, shopping and medical services. The free Escalon service averages 150 passenger trips a month.
Adam Barth, SRTA chief executive officer, said Wednesday that Escalon’s eTrans service has different branding and did not fit well with the authority’s operating model. SRTA is focused on serving residents of Stanislaus County, he said.
Barth said the transit authority made sure Escalon riders have other transportation options during the transition.
Andoh said finding another contractor has been a struggle but he expects to have an agreement with a contractor in a few months.
The city is advising Escalon residents to use alternatives while the bus service is suspended.
The San Joaquin Regional Transit District VanGo! provides service in San Joaquin County. The fare is $4. Call 209-943-1111 and choose option 3.
Another service is San Joaquin MyRide volunteer transportation. Call 209-242-9965.
Escalon also has eTrans On The Go!, in which the city pays the first $10 for an Uber ride. According to a city news release, riders pay $2 when they first use the subsidy. The vouchers are available at www.escalonetrans.org. The Uber app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play for Android users.
People with questions about the suspension of eTrans service may call Andoh at 209-691-7465 or email jandoh@cityofescalon.org.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 9:59 AM.
