The Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) will unveil the new S bus at noon on Thursday, Dec. 16. on the 10th Street Plaza in Modesto (1010 10th Street). The public is invited to attend. 

The StanRTA Board of Directors overwhelmingly approved the new brand “The S” and slogan “Ride the S” at its November board meeting. The S will represent the combined services of Modesto Area Express (MAX) and Stanislaus Regional Transit (StaRT), which merged under the Authority last July. StanRTA staff members are eager to introduce the new brand to the community beginning Jan. 1. The event on Dec. 16 will offer a sneak peek of how different public transportation will look in the community. 

“The S is a bold yet simple design with a large multi-toned golden S on a deep blue vehicle,” said Jenny Kenoyer, Chair of the StanRTA board. “It’s very clever and you really can’t miss it. We can’t wait to show it off.”

The unveiling event will involve local community leaders along with current and potential transit riders. 

StanRTA provided six months of free rides on all services while it developed and approved the new brand. A simplified fare structure goes into effect Jan. 1, 2022, that streamlines fare categories creating a uniform structure on both MAX and StaRT routes. Many fixed-route fares are reduced and riders ages 0 to 18 will be able to ride for free.