During the April 21st Rio Vista City Council meeting, the board voted to continue the Delta Breeze evening bus service trial for an additional 3 months from June 1 until August 31. The purpose of the trial is to evaluate bus travel within the city during extended hours and assess scheduled pickup and return times.
According to the initial ride schedule, pickups from 12 fixed locations will run from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm and drop riders at the corner of South Front and Main Street. Return travel from this location will be at 7:30, 8:00 and 8:30 pm. The “extended night service” will only operate on weekdays.
Below is the suggested bus schedule during the test phase. At the council meeting the city staffers were asked to make changes and additions to the plan, such as a stop at the Liberty Island roundabout, and changes to the proposed Homecoming locations for rider convenience and safety. Once the revised schedule has been approved, it will be published in the Beacon and on social media before the start date of June 1. Fares will be the same as the current “Local Dial A Ride” service.
Extended evening operating hours would allow patient visits to the newly opened NorthBay Clinic at more convenient times later in the day. Students wishing to join after-hours school sponsored events could also take advantage of a later bus schedule. Outings to local restaurants and bars for dinner and drinks, knowing that you have a safe ride home. Evening hours would also make it easy to visit the Rio Vista Farmer’s Market starting on Thursday, June 4th and open until 7.00 pm. Beginning on Friday, June 5th riders could shop or have dinner, then enjoy an hour or so of the Main Street Concert Series before catching the last ride back.
The new service, if permanent, would help achieve a Rio Vista key objective of tying together the separate Trilogy, Liberty Island, Homecoming, and core downtown communities as well as future ones like the upcoming Brann Ranch.
During the meeting, the council heard from Brandon Thomson, the Solano County Transit Authority, Delta Breeze project manager, who agreed with the city plans and noted it would help accomplish three long-desired goals for the town.
•Expand safe,
reliable evening
mobility for Rio Vista
residents
•Strengthen access to
downtown restaurants
and gathering areas
•Provide a practical
option for seniors,
teens, and other
residents who
prefer not to drive
at night
During his presentation, Mr. Thomson noted funding for the test is backed by the Delta Breeze TDA fund, which currently stands at $3.1 million. Another potential source of funding is a grant worth $60,000 from the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District which is currently in the works.
Councilman Walt Stanish asked what the yardstick of a successful test would be and Mr. Thomson replied a “success would be 10 new riders a day during the three-month trial.”
The trial program will not interfere with current Delta Breeze services. Today the Rio Vista Delta Breeze offers on-demand “curb-to-curb” Dial-A-Ride service for all of Rio Vista, destinations in Isleton, and resort communities along Highway 160.
Bookings for Dial-a-Ride service should be made at least 30 minutes in advance, weekdays between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. For telephone reservations call (707) 374-2878 or book online with the RIDEPINGO app. Download the free app at www.ridepingo.com. For more information regarding the Delta Breeze see the website at www.riovistacity.com/transit.