Uber Transit could be coming to Manteca.

The pilot program being proposed by Manteca Transit for possible implementation by the City Council would offer subsidized discounts for riders.

If a Uber ride costs $20 normally to go from one side of Manteca to the other, the city could use transit funds derived from state and federal sources to offer users a discount such as $2 to $5.

It is a program designed to help public transit agencies to fill in gaps in service such as late at night. Agencies typically weigh community needs along with the costs of a bus and driver versus deployment of the Uber Transit service.

It has been used by cities as a way to expand public transit offerings at a minimal cost to transit agencies.

It is one of a number of numerous initiatives Manteca Transit is exploring.

The city has been seeking public input on various proposals at various community workshops. The next workshops scheduled include those at:

*The Woodward Park picnic shelter on Wednesday, April 30, from 5 to 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

*Eskaton Manteca Manor on Thursday, May 8, at 2 p.m.

Another major change in service Manteca Transit is weighing is the addition of a new before and after high school routes to serve middle and high school students.

It’s a nod to the fact student ridership is the largest and fastest growing fixed route users.

In the nine month period from July 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, Manteca Transit had 59,057 fixed route riders. That number included 16,613 high school riders and 2,186 middle school riders.

The 59,057 ridership is a nine-month record for Manteca’s fixed routes.

The city also had 7,268 Dial-A-Ride users.

Manteca Transit coordinator Juan Portillo said the idea of the twice-a-day high school routes is based on what is now being offered in Lodi and Tracy.

It adds a limited route that anyone can access. But instead of running all day, it runs just twice a day on school days.

“It doesn’t take students to and from their door but to drop-offs in neighborhoods,” Portillo noted.

Ridership is strong at all three high school campuses with Manteca High leading the way.

Manteca High’s attendance area has had extensive growth south of the 120 Bypass. It requires crossing the 120 Bypass either via Main Street or the Van Ryn undercrossing and also crossing railroad tracks.

The city’s buses also stop by areas that tend to be popular after school destinations for students. 

Manteca Unified does not provide bus service for high school students residing within 2.5 miles of a campus or for elementary students residing within 1.25 miles of a campus.

Manteca Transit is also working on a grant for next school year that would provide free rides for all students. Currently the grant in place only provides free rides for high school students showing valid student body cards.

Other improvements being aired at workshops include:

*Extending Route 2 and Route 4 farther southward to serve new development. Many of the new residents — especially teens — in the city’s emerging southwest and south neighborhoods are used to accessing public transit in the Bay Area to travel around a community.

*Altering Route 1 service at the Stadium Center for a drop off point at Daniels Street and Airport Way near McDonald’s to keep it on time to connect with other routes at the transit station. Increased traffic has added to bus travel time.

*Receive feedback on a new shuttle route that would take passengers to Manteca’s popular destinations such as the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, downtown, the future family entertainment zone, and such.

*Share plans to conduct a full route redesign study for when ACE commuter rail service to San Jose and Sacramento starts at the Manteca Transit Center.

*Weigh the possibility in the meantime of starting a more robust shuttle service to and from the existing Lathrop/Manteca ACE station by using a park and ride approach at a location such as Orchard Valley.

*Provide information about the ability to use San Joaquin Regional Transit District Van Go vans assigned to Manteca for those needing transportation services on Saturdays and Sundays.

Portillo said the Van Go service is the least utilized of public transit options available to Manteca residents.

The RTD has grants for two Van Go vans to serve Manteca.

Unlike Dial-a-Ride that requires participating to have a certified disability, be 62 years or older, or be a Medicare participant; Van Go can be accessed by anyone.

It is a door-to-door service just like Dial-A-Ride.

Pickup windows are secured via an app or phone call.

And unlike Dial A Ride, Van Go can be taken to other locations in San Joaquin County outside of Manteca.

The workshops will also include information on plans for a bus maintenance facility.

For more information on Manteca Transit or the workshops call (209) 456-8888.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com