eTrans, the local bus system within the City of Escalon and to Modesto, is now being operated under contract with the City of Modesto, through Modesto Area Express. This new arrangement replaces the previous contractor, San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) and is a five-year contractual relationship, according to John Andoh, City of Escalon Transit Coordinator.
The City of Modesto has in-turn subcontracted the operations to National Express Transit and city employees will maintain and clean the buses. This new partnership with the City of Modesto is saving the City of Escalon approximately $15,000 per year in administrative overhead costs and is better linking Escalon residents with Modesto and Stanislaus County, where most of the riders on eTrans travel to, noted Andoh.
As part of the new contract, eTrans riders pay the same fare as MAX riders, and MAX passes, including Token Transit is now valid on eTrans. The service connecting Modesto and Escalon, three times each weekday is known as Route 35 and the buses as well as the bus stops now have the MAX logo on them to identify the route as a MAX route. eTrans is also shown in all MAX printed materials to provide a seamless rider’s experience between the two cities.
New eTrans/MAX Rider’s Guides are available on the buses, at Escalon City Hall, Escalon Library, Modesto Transportation Center or Modesto City Hall. For information on eTrans, call (209) 541-6645 or visit www.cityofescalon.org
eTrans is Escalon’s own bus system. The door-to-door dial-a-ride service operates within the City of Escalon and provides connection to Riverbank. The intercity Route 35 service operates between the Downtown Escalon Park and Ride Lot and Northwest Modesto serving Kaiser Permanente, Vintage Faire Mall and destinations on Kiernan Avenue, Dale Road, McHenry Avenue and Standiford Avenue, Monday through Friday. Transit Services are funded with State Transportation Development Act (TDA), Measure K and Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 funds. All transit services provided by eTrans are open and available to the general public and are now operated under contract by the City of Modesto – Modesto Area Express.
