There’s a unique way to get around in Escalon and it has been in operation for a while now.

San Joaquin Valley Community Shared Mobility is a 501(c)3 not for profit organized in the State of California in 2020. The organization does business as Miocar, operating a hybrid and electric vehicle round trip carsharing program in rural areas and small cities of Central California, including Escalon.

“Our mission is affordable access to transportation. Our name contains the words ‘community shared mobility’ and that is exactly what our dedicated staff of seven work hard at every day,” said Miocar spokesperson Rachel Heckl.

The Miocar vehicle has its own parking place in the city.

“In 2019 we were just an idea, we had received start-up grant funding to deploy electric vehicles in places where people could reserve a car for just a few hours or a whole day and pay $4 hour or $35 a day,” Heckl explained. “Our grant funding enables us to offer a low rate. In Escalon particularly, the City of Escalon contracted with us to deploy vehicles in Escalon. Our first vehicle has been deployed since May 2024 at the Park and Ride lot at Main and Viking.”

The vehicle in Escalon is a hybrid vehicle. When members reserve the vehicle, Heckl said they are required to return the vehicle with a full tank, just the way they found it.

“Our staff checks the vehicle each week, cleaning it and making sure it’s fully fueled. Occasionally we take the vehicle offline for regular maintenance to make sure it is safe and operating correctly,” Heckl continued. “We have a small staff of seven people, the majority of whom are bilingual. We oversee over 40 vehicles to date including Escalon. Each week our staff rotate operating the 24/7 call center, which is a live person help line for emergencies after business hours. During the week our customer service staff are available to assist members with any questions or issues they have during their reservation.”

For information about the program or to join, visit www.miocar.org or call 209-554-6204.

“Unlike big corporate car rental, carsharing is a unique community of members that share cars. This means we have a rigorous application process in the beginning to become a member. When someone applies there are several important steps we take to make sure the member understands our policies,” said Heckl.

She said they ask applicants to “agree” to the initial $20 application fee. Once the applicant agrees, Miocar runs their Motor Vehicle Record check, as required by their insurance.

“Once the results come back we review the MVR; if there is an accident within the last year or multiple moving violations we cannot approve. If the last three years of the record are clean the applicant can be approved. We then move on to the member orientation process,” Heckl noted. “This is a 15-minute review of the procedures and rules for using Miocar service. We review the reservation process, which takes place on our “ZEV Co-op” smartphone application, that is downloaded on the member’s phone. This app allows members to manage their account, make reservations, lock and unlock the vehicle, pay for their trip and report issues with the vehicle. Members can also do all of this on the computer as well with over the phone assistance that Miocar provides.”

The last step is a quick video-conference identity verification between a Miocar staff member and the new Miocar member.

“During the application process it is important that the applicant check their email because our staff send important information along the way and scheduling information for their orientation and identity verification,” Heckl said of the process. “The member will also get an email with our Miocar Member Handbook - this is a detailed guide on our policies and information about the service. The Handbook will detail policies for using the vehicle; for example, our vehicles cannot be driven outside of the State of California.”

With the low-cost vehicle availability, Heckl said they are looking forward to continuing to serve the Escalon area.

“We hope that this service can grow in Escalon and surrounding communities as a low-cost option for people who want to access a reliable vehicle for important errands like doctor appointments, grocery shopping, family visits or picking the kids up,” she said.

Over the last two years Miocar members have taken 6,900 trips and driven over 536,000 miles.

“Our members take surveys about their trips and in turn, we issue them free driving credit. Surveys are important for us to understand how to improve the service. Miocar has as 90 percent satisfaction rating from members,” said Heckl. “Escalon members have access to the full Miocar network, members can search for stations in California on the app or once logged into their profile on the computer.”

Miocar has other stations close to Escalon including a site in French Camp at 295 W. Mathews Road and in Stockton at Conway Homes, 741 Flint Ave.

Miocar is looking at potential sites in Manteca and Lathrop as well.

“Our staff development over the last two years has been the core reason Miocar is successful. These staff work long hours and love to serve their communities and work hard to build relationships everywhere we have vehicles. You may see our staff distributing brochures and posters at local businesses, introducing themselves and talking about the service,” added Heckl. “Whether visiting the Escalon Community Center for Senior Lunch, displaying our services at a vendor booth during the Annual Park Fete, or going door-to-door to local businesses, our staff cares about Escalon and making this service as successful as possible for residents.”

Miocar is also a member of the Escalon Chamber of Commerce.

“We look forward to gaining more membership in Escalon for our service and hopefully launching an additional vehicle soon,” Heckl said.