Murphys, CA…Calaveras County residents are invited to the opening of a new Saturday bus service at the inaugural Saturday Hopper ride on Saturday, July 23. The bus route will offer residents and visitors a worry free way to appreciate the various attractions and destinations from Valley Springs to Murphys. Opening festivities include ribbon cutting ceremonies at each stop on the first run of the day, including the 11:23 am stop at the Visitor Center in Angels Camp with Mayor Wes Kulm. Riders are encouraged to join in the celebration.

The Hopper’s first stop is at La Contenta Plaza parking lot at Vista del Lago and Highway 26 at 10:30. The Saturday Hopper will then stop at the Government Center in San Andreas, WorldMark and the Visitor Center in Angels Camp, and then on to the Black Bart Playhouse on Algiers in Murphys. In addition, the bus can stop to pick up passengers at any safe place along the route (call 754-4450 in advance).

Murphys business owner Kerry Keeney of His&Hers is enthusiastic about the service. “I am excited that Calaveras residents and tourists to the county will be able to arrive in Murphys, shop locally, visit wineries, attend local events and eat at restaurants conveniently using a fun way to travel.”

The main stops are located at parking lots for passenger convenience. Buses will travel in both directions about every 90 minutes. The first bus will leave Valley Springs at 10:30 a.m. and the last bus will leave Murphys at 6:30 p.m. Check calaverastransit.com for the complete schedule. Fares are the same as for the weekday fixed route service: $2.00 base for one way travel plus 25-cent zone fares due at San Andreas and Angels Camp. The base fare is $1.00 for people 65 years and older and for eligible persons with a disability. Purchase tickets in advance or pay the drivers with exact change.

Planners and businesses are looking forward to the service that will connect Calaveras communities with easy Saturday travel opportunities. David Hanham, Planning Director for the City of Angels Camp, says, “This is a great opportunity to get people to downtown Angels Camp. People from WorldMark and Greenhorn Creek want to get to Angels Camp without driving.”

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