News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2019

Golden Empire Transit District Plans for Possible Power Outage

Bakersfield, CA — The Golden Empire Transit District (GET) has developed a service plan in the event there is a power outage at GET’s Maintenance Facility.

• Fixed route service will operate on a Holiday schedule. Holiday schedules for all routes are indicated in the GET Bus book. Riders can also call customer service at 869-2GET (2438) for route information.
• GET-A-Lift service will provide service to those customers who are dependent on transportation for serious medical needs. Riders can call 869-6363 for more information.
• RYDE service in southwest Bakersfield will operate on a weekend schedule (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Customers can book a RYDE from the TransLoc app or by calling 869-6380.
• GET’s Administration office and customer service lines will be open.

“We know this poses considerable difficulty for our customers,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “It is our hope that the power outage will be very brief. Once PG&E restores power, we will act quickly to resume normal service.”

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 3, 2019

Golden Empire Transit District Announces Annual Rideshare Week: October 7-11, 2019

Bakersfield, CA — The Golden Empire Transit District (GET), in partnership with Kern Council of Governments, is excited to announce Rideshare Week from October 7 to 11, 2019. Rideshare Week is a community-wide initiative to promote alternative means of transportation for commuting to and from work, school, and other activities. During this week, GET encourages members of the Bakersfield community to carpool, walk, bike, or ride a GET bus. Special events will be held on Tuesday, October 8 at the Downtown Transit Center from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and at the Southwest Transit Center from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Passengers new to riding the GET bus can access an online trip planner at GETbus.org for help with planning their travel. Free trip planning assistance is also available by calling (661) 869-2GET (2438). For riders with bikes, there are bicycle racks mounted on the front of every GET fixed-route bus and customers may load a bicycle at any bus stop.

“GET is committed to environmental wellness in all aspects of our operations. It is our goal to preserve the health of our planet and the well-being of our community,” explains Karen King, GET’s CEO. “Rideshare Week is one of the ways we encourage greater environmental awareness and responsibility. Visit CommuteKern.org to pledge your commitment to finding alternative ways of transportation during Rideshare Week and enter for a chance to win great prizes.”

Those commuting within southwest Bakersfield can also utilize RYDE, GET’s new on-call ride-hailing service that takes passengers curb-to-curb for only $3.50. For more information, visit RYDEBakersfield.com.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2019

Golden Empire Transit District Extends RYDE Service Area

Bakersfield, CA — The Golden Empire Transit District (GET) announced it has extended the service area of its on-demand pilot project (RYDE) to include additional popular destinations in southwest Bakersfield. Effective October 1, 2019, the RYDE service area will also include the Shops at River Walk along Stockdale Hwy and the VA Clinic on Westwind Dr.

“RYDE is the way to travel in southwest Bakersfield because trips are only $3.50, making this program very popular with those who rely on ride-hailing services,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “We are excited users can now enjoy shopping and relaxing in the River Walk area and that our servicemen and women can get to appointments at the VA Clinic.”

Customers can book a RYDE using the TransLoc app or by calling GET at 661.869.6380. “Booking a RYDE using the TransLoc app is currently the most popular way for customers to book a ride,” said King, who would also like to remind customers that they can catch a RYDE by approaching a RYDE vehicle and telling the driver where they would like to travel.

Bakersfield residents in the southwest area have been using RYDE to travel for school, work, and pleasure. GET will continue to monitor the use of RYDE to determine if additional possible service area expansions would benefit residents next year. For more information, visit RYDEBakersfield.com

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2019

Golden Empire Transit Announces Fare Adjustments

Bakersfield, CA — Golden Empire Transit District (GET) announced it will implement its second round of fare adjustments on October 1, 2019. The new fare structure will be as followed:

• Single Ride – $1.65
• Express Single Ride – $4.00
• Reduced Single Ride – $0.80
• Day Pass – $3.55
• Express Day Pass – $8.00
• Reduced Fare Day Pass – $1.70
• 15-Day Pass – $30.00
• 15-Day Reduced Fare Day Pass – $13.75
• Reduced Fare Sticker – $22.00
• 31-Day Pass – $45.00
• Express 31-Day Pass – $60.00

An initial fare adjustment occurred in October 2017 after a public hearing determined that incremental fare increases were the best way to pay for desired District improvements such as purchasing new GET buses with USB ports, CSUB transit center construction (Phase 1 is complete; Phase 2 will be completed in Spring 2020), launching the new on-demand ride-hailing service RYDE, and purchasing eight new GET-A-Lift vehicles.

“Providing high-quality public transportation that is affordable to everyone in Bakersfield is imperative to GET,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “The public hearing held in April 2017 was invaluable in understanding how best to pay for the much-needed improvements while maintaining affordability.” Visit getbus.org/new-fare-prices or call 869-2GET for more information.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2019

Golden Empire Transit District Route and System Performance Report for FY 2018-2019

Bakersfield, CA — The Golden Empire Transit District (GET) has completed its fiscal year 2018-2019 route and system performance report counting a total of 6.2 million passengers. While the overall fixed-route ridership was down by 2.8 percent from the previous year, weekend ridership on nearly half of the routes stayed level or increased. Routes 21, 22, 43, 44, 45, and 81 were the system’s most productive weekday routes, which include stops like the Downtown Transit Center and Bakersfield College, among other high-traffic destinations. Routes 22 and 44 were the most productive weekend routes.

GET-A-Lift ridership was down slightly as well, counting 55,655 passengers for the year. Further, the performance report showed that 38 percent of all trips reported wheelchair lift activity. Much of the wheelchair lift activity was reported on weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Route 22 saw the highest wheelchair lift activity for the year.

Bicycle rack usage went up by five percent from the previous year with much of the activity occurring on weekday afternoons. Route 22 had the highest bike rack usage for the year.

The GET report also gave a passing grade to the system’s on-time performance, while showing a 29 percent decrease in the number of missed trip reports compared to the previous year. “The District has an established standard for on-time performance, which states that 85 percent of all trips should run zero minutes early to five minutes late,” explained Karen King, GET’s CEO. “As demonstrated in the report, GET’s on-time performance is averaging 85 percent.”

The all-new RYDE microtransit service, which operates in southwest Bakersfield, has experienced tremendous growth each month since its launch as a pilot program earlier this year. The report indicates that 3,523 passengers used the RYDE service in its first three months of operation. Currently, most customers are booking a RYDE using the TransLoc app, but passengers can also book by calling 661.869.6380 or simply approaching a RYDE vehicle and telling the driver where they want to go.

To view a full copy of the GET Route and System Performance Report for FY 2018-2019, please visit https://www.getbus.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ANNUAL-ROUTE-SYSTEM-PERFORMANCE-REPORT18-19.pdf.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 90 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 21 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2019

Back to School Got You Down? Golden Empire Transit Has a Way to Pick You Up!

Bakersfield, CA — As students throughout Bakersfield start a new school year, Golden Empire Transit District (GET) has an amazing deal to help them cross transportation off their to-do list! GET is offering monthly passes purchased through September for half price. The Half-Off Pass deal is available on passes purchased through September 30, 2019. Passes can even be used for months after September.

For only twenty-one dollars ($21), new GET customers (defined as those who have been riding GET for less than six months or have never ridden before) can have unlimited rides within a 31-day period. This deal is a great way for students, parents, teachers, and school employees alike to take control of their transportation to and from school.

The HOP Pass is funded by a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) as part of Valley Air District’s efforts to improve the health and quality of life for all Valley residents.

“We are ecstatic the SJVAPCD selected GET as a recipient of this grant,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “By only having to pay half-price for a monthly pass, students new to GET can take control of their mobility and travel to school on time without the hassles of relying on a ride from friends or family.”

First-time riders must verify their new rider eligibility with a photo ID at the GET Administration Office (located at 1830 Golden State Avenue) or the Downtown Transit Center (located at 22nd/Eye) in order to purchase the half-price monthly pass. The HOP Pass can be used on all GET fixed routes and is ideal for transportation to and from school and after-school activities.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2019

Congressman Cox Tours GET

Bakersfield, CA — Golden Empire Transit District (GET) hosted US Congressman TJ Cox at its headquarters on Labor Day, September 2, 2019. Cox, a freshman congressmen, represents California’s 21st Congressional District which includes all of Kings County and portions of Fresno, Kern, and Tulare counties. Cox toured GET to learn about how the District provides sustainable mobility options in Bakersfield. Cox was accompanied on his tour by GET Board members Jim Baldwin and Carlos Bello, along with City of Bakersfield Councilmember Andrae Gonzalez and GET employees Karen King, Deidre Brown, Ricardo Perez, and Chris James (pictured below).

“We were so pleased to host the congressman and show him how important public transportation is to everyone in Bakersfield,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “From commuter buses and downtown fixed routes to on-demand transit and GET-A-Lift service, residents rely on GET and our transit partners for access to jobs, healthcare, education, and beyond.”

“Fast, reliable public transportation is both an integral service for livable, accessible cities and a key to cleaner air in the Central Valley,” said Rep. TJ Cox. “It was great to hear how Golden Empire Transit is going above and beyond to get Kern County residents where they need to go.” Cox is an advocate for the use of electric buses in public transportation and was also impressed with GET’s volunteer work in the community, including the Reading Express Program. “We are thankful to the Congressman for noting the value in our attempt to promote a world of literacy onboard GET,” said King. The Reading Express provides books on GET fixed-route buses for children to enjoy while riding with their parents. GET is currently promoting a community book drive to support the program and residents are encouraged to donate new and gently used books for reading levels 0 through 3rd grade at the GET Headquarters at 1830 Golden State Avenue.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 29, 2019

Golden Empire Transit Labor Day Service

Bakersfield, CA — Golden Empire Transit District (GET) will operate on a holiday schedule on Monday, September 2, for Labor Day. Holiday schedules for all routes are indicated in the GET Bus book. Riders can also call customer service at 869-2GET (2438) for route information.

The District Office will be closed on Labor Day, but the Downtown Customer Service Center will be open and the customer service telephone line, 869-2GET (2438), will also be operational from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. GET routes 47, 81, 82, 83, 84 and X92 will not be in operation on September 2.

Additionally, the RYDE service in southwest Bakersfield will operate on a weekend schedule (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Customers can book a RYDE from the TransLoc app or by calling 869-6380.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438)

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
Office: 661.869.6307

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2019

Golden Empire Transit Reading Express Book Drive at Barnes & Noble

Bakersfield, CA — Golden Empire Transit District (GET) is partnering with Barnes & Noble Booksellers to host a book drive and promote literacy among young children while expanding its Reading Express (GET’s on-board library program). The book drive will be all day Saturday, August 24, at the 4001 California Ave. Barnes & Noble location in Bakersfield.

The Reading Express provides books on GET fixed-route buses for children to enjoy while riding with their parents. The bookseller partnership on August 24 is an expansion of GET’s current employee and community push to improve the reading selection for young riders on-board GET. “We are excited to have Barnes & Noble as a partner in expanding literacy in Bakersfield,” said Karen King, GET CEO. GET will be hosting a story time at 11:00 a.m. in addition to offering service information and fun giveaways from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Residents are encouraged to donate new and gently used books for reading levels 0 through 3rd grade at the book drive. Customers can mention “GET bus book drive” or “Reading Express” during checkout and Barnes & Noble will give ten percent of all purchases back to GET in the form of a gift card for the District to purchase books for the Reading Express. Patrons at Barnes & Noble can also buy a book at the store to donate. A selection of Little Golden Book Favorites, and other titles priced around five dollars, will be located next to the GET booth.

“Customers can donate their favorite childhood book or their children’s favorite books and Barnes & Noble will provide little bookplates for visitors to write a dedication in their donated books,” said King. “If you are unable to make the Saturday event, boxes for donations are also located at the GET Headquarters at 1830 Golden State Avenue,” said King.

GET launched the Reading Express program in September 2008 with a grant from First 5 Kern. The Reading Express offers many benefits to GET’s youngest riders. It provides a way to reduce the stress of commuting while exposing kids to books and the world of literacy. It offers busy parents additional opportunities to interact positively with their children during their daily commutes, and it gives children who may not have books in the home easy access to them while going about their everyday activities. For more information about GET’s Reading Express, please visit www.getbus.org/rider-info/the-reading-express.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 88 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 25 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses, and 7 microtransit RYDE shuttles. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).

News Release

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Smith
661.869.6307
661.549.9261

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2019

Golden Empire Transit Providing Free Rides Due to Air Quality

Bakersfield, CA —Golden Empire Transit District (GET) will provide free rides Friday, August 16, 2019 due to an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 154. Bakersfield residents are encouraged to ride GET fixed-routes and GET-A-Lift all day, free of charge!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the AQI focuses on health effects a person may experience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: Ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. An AQI over 150 is considered unhealthy and potentially hazardous to the general population.

“GET is committed to the environment and exceptional customer service,” said Karen King, GET’s CEO. “Today we invite you to leave your cars parked and ride GET for free, all day, to avoid additional air pollution and to protect your health.” In 2018, GET provided four days of free public transit to Bakersfield residents. Higher temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions that form air pollutants.

Residents are encouraged to download the free San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District app to monitor air quality. The app is available for free on the App Store (Valley Air District) and Google Play (Valley Air). This is the official app of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District which monitors the AQI for the region.

Funding for AQI free rides on GET’s fixed-route and Get-A-Lift services is provided by a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. The CMAQ program is a flexible federal‐aid funding source for transportation projects that reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality, specifically for the pollutants ozone, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. Within this general purpose, the program can fund a wide variety of projects, each project meeting three basic criteria: it must be a transportation project, it should generate an emissions reduction, and it should be located in or benefit a nonattainment or maintenance area.

GET was formed in July 1973 and is the primary public transportation provider for the Bakersfield Urbanized Area. It is the largest public transit system within a 110-mile radius. The District’s legal boundary includes Bakersfield city limits as well as adjacent unincorporated areas. GET has a fleet of 90 compressed natural gas buses equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. GET serves 16 routes, operating 7 days a week and transporting more than 6 million passengers each year with its fixed-route buses. In addition, GET operates 21 compressed natural gas GET-A-Lift buses. For more information, visit www.getbus.org or call 869.2GET (2438).