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Van Go! Pilot Program

Starting September 1, 2024, Van Go! will no longer be available for rides within the City of Stockton. However, you can still use Van Go! to travel between Stockton and rural areas within San Joaquin County. For more information, please read our press release.
Van Go! is an app-based pilot rideshare program. Trips can only be booked through a smartphone or desktop computer. This service is ideal for connecting areas in need of reliable public transportation, such as the rural parts of San Joaquin County, allowing for flexible outings like social visits, shopping trips, and casual visits to shopping centers.
It is highly recommended to use other alternative services options such as RTD’s fixed-route services or Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber for time-sensitive commitments like medical appointments, church services, or work. Paratransit services may also be a better choice for those who qualify, as they guarantee prompt arrival and departure for appointments.
The service operates on a first-come, first-served basis due to a limited amount of vehicles. If no pick-ups are available at the requested time, this means reservations are full.
Van Go! vehicles are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and our drivers are professionally trained to provide assistance. All packages brought on board are restricted to what you can safely hold in your lap. Bicycles can only be transported if there are sufficient room inside the bus and is safe to do so.

Getting Started

  1. Download the Van Go! app on your mobile device to start your journey
  2. Set up an account on the Van Go! app and get the ability to book rides from your mobile device or our desktop web app.
  3. Pre-book your ride up to 48 hours in advance and will provide an estimated pickup window
  4. Pay $4 per person for the initial 5 miles and $0.50 for each additional mile there after.
  5. Pay with your debit or credit card in the app or simply pay exact cash amount to the driver at pick-up.
  6. Explore San Joaquin County at your leisure! Remember to book your return trip well in advance.
  7. For guidance on using the mobile app, refer to our Van Go! How-to Brochure or call (209) 943-1111, option 3.
  8. Enjoy the ease of booking trips from anywhere using our desktop web or mobile app.

Van Go! App

Graphic displaying 'Download on the App Store' with the Apple logo. Graphic displaying 'Available on the Google Play' with the Google Play store logo

Service Hours

7 days a week
8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Fares

Fare
First 5-miles (one-way trip)
After 5 miles
Regular
$4.00 per person
$0.50 per mile per person
Discount Fare Card
$3.00 per person
$0.50 per mile per person

Fares subject to change without notice.

Frequently Asked Questions – Update of VanGo! Service in the City of Stockton

The service is being changed due to low productivity and high operating costs, making it financially unsustainable.

The service will not be discontinued. Rides connecting Stockton to rural areas within San Joaquin County will still be available.  Rides connecting inside Stockton city limits will not not be available effective September 1, 2024. You can use RTD’s fixed-route services, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber, or paratransit services if you qualify.

Yes, Van Go! will still operate in rural areas and surrounding jurisdictions. For example, you can book a trip starting in Linden and end in Linden.

Yes, you can still book trips to and from Stockton to other cities, as well as between other cities.

Existing bookings for trips within Stockton will be canceled, and customers will need to make alternative travel arrangements.

The update is expected to improve vehicle availability for trips outside Stockton, as resources are reallocated.

You can use RTD’s fixed-route services, Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber, or paratransit services if you qualify.

The reallocation will enhance fixed-route services, particularly in underserved neighborhoods, providing approximately 42 additional daily revenue hours of service.

Frequently Asked Questions – General

RTD’s on-demand rideshare service throughout San Joaquin County.

You must be at least 18 to book and 13 to ride unaccompanied.

No, all trips require a reservation. You may book the same day using the Van Go! app.

When booking through the app, you have the option to pay with a credit/debit card or you can pay with cash when boarding.

Yes, however, each person will need to pay their own fare—no splitting fares.

Although you can book your trip on the same day, we recommend planning ahead so you may book up to 48 hours in advance.

When booking your trip, select “Arrive By” and enter the time you want to arrive at the end of your trip. The app will schedule an estimated time window for your pick-up. Please note that the estimated pick-up window may change depending on traffic conditions, vehicle availability, the number of shared ride passengers that may be combined on your trip, weather, and other factors.
RTD recommends you plan to be at your pick-up location at least ten minutes ahead of your scheduled pick-up window and avoid scheduling your expected arrival destination time too closely. You will need to account for potential delays or unexpected circumstances when scheduling.
RTD does not recommend using Van Go! for appointments that require strict timing, such as visits to the doctor, dentist, chiropractor, or church. It is better suited for more flexible trips, like going to the mall, visiting a friend, or grocery shopping.
RTD recommends using other forms of transportation for appointments that require strict timing. Some options could be Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber or RTD‘s reliable fixed-route services. If you qualify for paratransit services, this may be a better option for you to make sure you get to and from your appointment on time.
If you choose to decide to ignore this recommendation and use Van Go! for your time-sensitive appointments, make sure to schedule your ride with extra time. This means arriving very early and being picked up long after your appointment is finished.

Pick-up windows may change depending on traffic conditions, vehicle availability, the number of shared ride passengers that may be combined on your trip, weather, and other factors. The pick-up time window you receive is only an estimate and is based on the predicted vehicle availability at the time you book the trip.
If your trip is canceled, it is because there are not enough vehicles available in the area at that time. If this happens, you can try booking again for a different time or using another mode of transportation.

A rideshare service means sometimes others will get on and off while your trip is still in session.

Yes, but only what you can safely hold in your lap during the trip.  Bags and packages may not be placed in the seat beside you nor on the floor.

Only service animals are allowed.

Yes, but it must be folded and you must hold onto it to prevent it from moving at all times.

Book trips quickly and easily using a desktop web or mobile app.

If the driver arrives early, the driver will only wait five (5) minutes past the start of the pick-up window.  If the driver arrives within the pick-up window or after the end of the pick-up window, the driver will wait five (5) minutes from the time the driver arrives at the pick-up location. After that, the driver must move on to the next customer and cannot return to pick you up.

Passengers are encouraged to cancel their booking 2 hours before their scheduled pick-up time.