Officials with the Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) and the City of Turlock (Turlock Transit), the two public transit providers in Stanislaus County, have issued a reminder that all rides on all fixed-route and commuter buses will be free for passengers during the month of December. The month-long initiative is part of a joint free-ride promotion.

The goal of the free-ride promotion is to reduce the use of single-occupant vehicles in an effort to reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and countless hours wasted on freeways. Funding for the joint free-ride promotion is made possible through transit grant funding, including a grant from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) under the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP). The grant excludes ADA Paratransit, Medivan, Dial-a-Ride and On-Demand services; as a result, free rides are not extended to those services.

“We’re thrilled to coordinate with our regional partners to provide a bit of relief to all Stanislaus County residents this holiday season,” said Adam Barth, StanRTA CEO. “We look forward to showing the public how using public transit can be a positive, cost-effective transportation alternative to single-occupant motor vehicles.”

Residents are encouraged to make the most of this free-ride promotion by planning their trips in advance. Trip planning tools are available on the websites of both the StanRTA and Turlock Transit, as well as through smartphone apps such as Google Maps, the Transit app or the Track the S app. These tools make it easy to determine the closest bus stop, the correct route, and in some cases real-time bus arrival information.

“Free public transportation during the holidays is an effective way of mitigating traffic congestion, improving air quality, and getting around Stanislaus County,” said Wayne York, Transit Manager for Turlock Transit. “We look forward to continuing to work with the StanRTA and other transportation partners in making public transit even easier and more accessible.”

For more information on StanRTA and its services, visit www.stanrta.org or call (209) 527-4900. For more information on Turlock Transit and its services, visit www.turlocktransit.com or call (209) 668-5600.