Manteca Transit’s dial-a-ride service is going electric.

The City Council when they meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. is being asked to authorize the purchase of a 2023 Ford electric van for $115,637.

It is part of the city’s effort to start shifting to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2040 as mandated by the State of California.

Currently, Manteca Transit’s Dial-a-Ride services consist of three 24-foot long, gas powered, cutaway buses.

The electric van will not replace a bus but rather support Manteca Transit’s Dial-a-Ride service due to an increase in ridership.

The cost of the new van is being covered by state and federal grants.

Transition to electric vehicles is  just one of the many changes contemplated for the municipal transit service.

Within the next several years when ACE trains start stopping at the downtown transit center at 220 Moffat Boulevard, routes are expected to be adjusted to time with departures and arrivals.

It means the day is coming when commuters to San Jose — and other points in the Bay Area as well as Sacramento — could walk to the nearest fixed route Manteca Transit bus stop, ride to the station, and board an ACE train.

Currently, Manteca Transit operates two morning shuttles and two afternoon shuttles between the downtown transit center and the Lathrop/Manteca ACE station in West Yosemite Avenue.

For now, the Manteca Transit Service continues to build on the success of its free ride service for sixth graders through high school seniors made possible with a state grant.

Students simply show a school ID when boarding. It is good at all times the Manteca Transit buses are operating Monday through Saturday.

Teens also are using it in small but growing numbers to reach the cinemas at Orchard Valley, the bowling alley, fast food stores and other places.

This promotion is being funded through a grant from the California Department of Transportation under the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program – created to provide pay for transit agencies in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improve mobility.

For more information about Manteca Transit services, log on to www.MantecaTransit.com or call 209.456.8888.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com