Amador County doesn’t have all that many options in the way of public transport, but what it has it does very well. Being a rural country area with just a few small towns, public transport is tough. In large metropolitan areas the shear number of people make it economical to have buses, light rail, even subways. But out here in the country, the numbers are much lower and that is a challenge to the community, who wants to help people get around easily, inexpensively, and if done right in an environmentally healthy way.

In Amador County the answer that has come up is A.R.T.S. Amador Regional Transit System, If you need to get down to Sacramento for work in an office downtown, or you just want to go to the city to shop at a big mall, you can catch the bus from Sutter Hill Westbound twice in the morning and once in the afternoon. Maybe you want to make a run up to Kirkwood to hit the slopes for a Saturday and don’t want to deal with the driving hassles, chains and all that. The prices are great, the busses are nice, more like airplane seating than most R.T. busses. The service is about the best I’ve seen. Heck if you call ahead they will make a detour out to pick you up, some distance from the rout even. Bike holders and wheelchair lifts are on some of the busses. And the routs although necessarily limited do a good job of filling the local needs. Connections to Sacramento R.T. and Calaveras Transit are also available.

Check out the A.R.T.S. website for more details. The service changes more often than in larger metro areas, to serve the changing needs of the community.

Try A.R.T.S. save money, gas, and hassle. Make your commute a friendly relaxing time.

Now, if we could just get that bullet train down to LA, I could make a run to Philippe’s for a double dip roast beef sandwich…