MERCED — The Merced County Association of Governments is asking residents to weigh in on gaps in local bus service as part of its annual Unmet Transit Needs process, a state‑required review that helps determine how transportation funds may be used to improve mobility throughout the county.
The public comment period runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 30, and MCAG is offering multiple ways for residents to share concerns or suggest services they believe should be provided by The Bus. Comments can be submitted online, by email, phone or mail, and through a series of virtual and in‑person hearings in Merced and Los Banos.
“Public transportation works best when it is meeting the needs of the people who rely on it,” Executive Director Stacie Guzman said. “This annual process gives residents an opportunity to tell us where they are experiencing gaps in service and what improvements could make transit more accessible and useful in their communities.”
In‑person hearings are scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Merced County Administration Building and Oct. 22 at the Los Banos Community Center. Virtual hearings will be held Oct. 14 and Oct. 20. Spanish interpretation will be available at all hearings, and additional language accommodations can be arranged.
Residents who use public transit — as well as those who struggle to access it — are encouraged to participate. The Bus will offer free fixed‑route rides for anyone attending an in‑person hearing; riders should inform the driver of their destination. ADA‑eligible passengers may schedule paratransit service by calling (209) 384‑3111 at least one week in advance.
Comments may also be submitted through an online survey available in English, Spanish, Hmong and Punjabi at mcagov.org/312/UTN‑Survey, by emailing planning@mcagov.org, calling (209) 723‑3153 ext. 125, or mailing MCAG at 369 W. 18th Street, Merced.
MCAG serves as the regional transportation planning agency and metropolitan planning organization for Merced County. The agency also manages The Bus, YARTS, the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority and administers Measure V transportation funds.
