The Bus is offering free fares to riders throughout Merced County this summer

The Bus is offering free rides to passengers on all services in Merced County this summer, according to the Merced County Association of Governments.

Beginning July 1, all general fare riders will be able to ride The Bus free of charge thanks to funding through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program which has been administered by Caltrans, according to a Merced County Association of Governments news release.

According to association, the three month-long free-fare program will run from July 1 through Sept. 30 this year.

Measure V currently funds free rides for seniors, veterans, ADA eligible passengers as well as UC Merced and Merced College students who use their student IDs. The summer free-fare program will cover the cost of general fares for all riders who don’t already qualify for any of the programs funded by Measure V.

“Riding The Bus in the summertime has a lot of benefits that we hope our communities will take advantage of over the next few months,” said Transit Manager Christine Chavez in the news release.

“We hope people will use this opportunity to get to know our transit system and services better so that they can use it to ride to school or work in the future. While they are at it, they will also get the added bonus of free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and not having to worry about gas prices,” Chavez added.

During the free-fare program, Measure V passengers and students should continue showing their IDs as they utilize existing programs, the association said.

Bus schedules as well as hours of operation can be found online at The Bus’ website or by calling 209-723-3100. Information about services, arrival times and real-time fixed route bus locations can be found online at www.thebuslive.com or downloading ‘The Bus Live’ app free of charge.

Reservations must be made to ride The Micro Bus and can be done so by using the smartphone app or by going online at www.mercedthebus.com/themicrobus or calling 209-725-3813. Masks are encouraged for passengers riding The Bus, according to the release.