Merced, Calif. – The 2025 edition of On the moVe – the annual Measure V report to the community – has been released by the Measure V Citizens Oversight Committee. Measure V is the half-cent sales tax dedicated exclusively to the improvement of transportation infrastructure in Merced County. This 30-year tax was approved by local voters in November 2016 and went into effect in April 2017. As of April 2025, Measure V has generated more than $186 million in revenue for local transportation improvements. The annual report highlights work completed on local streets, regional roadways, bike paths, sidewalks, and public transit services throughout the Merced County region between July 2023 and June 2024.
This year, the report features the accomplishments funded by Measure V in the public transit sector. This includes several new, battery-electric buses purchased by the Transit Joint Powers Authority for Merced County, otherwise known as The Bus. These buses are part of the agency’s plan to transition its fleet to zero-emission vehicles and are already contributing to the region’s ongoing efforts to decrease local tailpipe emissions and greenhouse gases. Every year, the electric buses:
- Cut diesel consumption by 358,000 gallons
- Reduce tailpipe CO₂ emissions by 8,065,000 pounds
- Eliminate 1,971,000 vehicle miles traveled on local roads
Other Measure V-funded transit programs include the free-fare program for seniors, veterans, and ADA-eligible passengers on The Bus’ fixed-route service that has been in place since 2017. In 2021, this program expanded to incorporate paratransit and microtransit in the menu of free services offered. In the 2023–24 fiscal year, the free-fare program provided more than 200,000 rides to these passengers.
“The support and enhancement of public transit services in the Merced County region is an important function of Measure V that doesn’t get much fanfare,” said Stacie Guzman, Executive Director of the Merced County Association of Governments. “Despite that, The Bus’ programs have been some of the most impactful achievements of the Measure, both in terms of quality of life for local residents who require transportation assistance and in improving the local air quality and health of our communities.”
The 2025 report, along with specific information about projects completed throughout the Merced County region, can be found at: www.mcagov.org/onthemove. Hard copies will be available for free at all City Halls as well as the County administrative building later this month.
Merced County Association of Governments (MCAG) is the designated Local Transportation Authority for Merced County and is responsible for the implementation and administration of Measure V. To keep the community informed about this transformative measure, MCAG features regular updates in their electronic newsletter, which can be found on the MCAG website: www.mcagov.org. Additional information about Measure V, including financial statements and specific project information, can be found at: www.mcagov.org/MeasureV.
MCAG is the regional transportation planning agency and metropolitan planning organization for Merced County. In addition to regional transportation planning, MCAG also manages The Bus, YARTS, and the Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority.
