In 2022, the California Department of Transportation issued its 1,000th award through LCTOP to Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) for their Free Fares Project. Through the Free Fares Project, StanRTA provides free, safe, and reliable transportation services for residents to travel to educational institutions, employment centers, medical offices, grocery stores, and shopping malls. Transit fares are often a barrier to residents in disadvantaged communities but with the support from LCTOP, the Free Fares Project has made it possible for riders to use public transportation without any financial hardship.
The project includes twenty-six urban bus routes, three intercity shuttle services, medivan services, and complementary paratransit services. The Free Fares Project offered free fares to all Stanislaus County residents, during certain times of the year, to encourage ridership and promote public transportation. The project improved ridership as the county recovered from the pandemic and is expected to increase by 12,160 by the end of the project.
Implementing the Free Fares Project has improved access to public transportation across Stanislaus County, increased ridership, reduced vehicle miles traveled, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The majority of Stanislaus County is located within disadvantaged communities and one of the main goals of this project is to benefit the communities that do not have any means of transportation and that rely on services provided by the StanRTA. Thus far, the project has been a major success.
The Free Fares Project has improved access to public transportation across Stanislaus County and has not only benefited new riders and potential riders, it has also improved air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle miles traveled. The benefits of this project have been critical to the success of the LCTOP and its continuing support for projects alike. Without the support of LCTOP, the Free Fares Project would not be possible.
StanRTA had received positive feedback from transit riders who have benefited from free fares.
Transit rider Chris said, “I like the free rides and riding the bus. I use it at least three times a week for groceries, appointments and getting around.”
According to another transit rider, Beatrice, “Service is good. I take the buses daily because it’s the only means of transportation to get to/from home, work, mall, and errands.”
Sherry, another beneficiary of the free fares said, “Love it! It’s my only means of transportation and I ride at least twice per week to go bowling and doctor appointments.”