SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY, Calif. — New changes are in effect in Stockton for San Joaquin Regional Transit District service to better meet the needs of transit users.
San Joaquin RTD CEO Alex Clifford says their main goal is to serve neighborhoods that have been overlooked in the past.
Clifford says they recently compared their last customer survey with the most recent census data. They learned that the Hispanic and Latino population in Stockton has increased to 43%, and Clifford says RTD's Hispanic and Latino ridership represents about 29%.
He says RTD is now working to increase ridership within the Hispanic and Latino communities in Stockton.
RTD's changes will reduce wait times in some neighborhoods by creating a 30-minute service where it was previously an hour. They will also introduce all-day service until about 8 p.m. because they found service was ending too early, so people could get to work using RTD but not always home.
The changes, which went into effect on January 28, impact communities near Crosstown freeway and where the Crosstown freeway connects with I-5 and Highway 99. Routes that will see improvements are 576, 566, 555, 580, and 578.
There is also a new Local Route 40 along Pacific Avenue. The combination of Express and Local service could increase frequency to every 10 minutes.
The changes will impact RTD customers living near Trinity Parkway, Spanos Park, Weston Ranch, Hammer Lane, the Country Club area, as well as Section and Oro. Clifford says this will create connections throughout Stockton, getting people to work, doctor's appointments, or to do their shopping.
People can download the Vamos app to receive ride tickets that will allow them to ride free for 14 days. People can submit feedback to RTD here.
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