The Bus plans new routes in Merced County

Officials from Merced County’s The Bus are planning new route schedules to start Feb. 2 to improve the overall transit system and provide efficient service to the greatest number of people in the county, according to a news release.

Riders can expect increased frequency in many routes, more connection points and more direct commuter routes. The changes were made based on ridership data and feedback from riders throughout the county.

Several routes serving the Los Banos area and surrounding communities have been restructured to improve efficiency, Transit Manager Rich Green said, such as decreased travel times and fewer transfers for riders. The new schedules include a more direct route between Merced and Los Banos, with a connection at the Dos Palos Y, while maintaining service between Dos Palos and Los Banos.

In addition, Gustine and Newman will be served by a streamlined route, the release said.

Among the new services to begin in February, The Bus will launch a pilot route from Los Banos to Turlock through Stevinson and Hilmar. The trial route will be subject to change based on ridership, Green said.

The route used to be part of the regular schedule, Green said, but it ended a few years back due to lack of ridership. “Because people have asked for it, we’re going to try it again,” he said.

The Bus provides transit service along 20 fixed routes seven days a week in Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos and Merced, as well as the communities of Hilmar, Stevinson, Le Grand, Planada and Winton.

Real-time information for bus locations, services and arrival times can be found at www.thebuslive.com. All buses are equipped with bike racks and are wheelchair accessible. Reduced rates are available for students, seniors, veterans and those with disabilities.

To review all of the new route schedules, go to www.mercedthebus.com/205/New-Schedules or call The Bus at (209) 723-3100.

For more information, go to www.mercedthebus.com and www.mcagov.org.

This story was originally published January 23, 2015 at 3:53 PM with the headline "The Bus plans new routes in Merced County."