Rancho Cordova, CA:
Was curious if there is a time frame for when the Glenn Dr crossing in Folsom is fixed? I noticed trains still have to come to a stop at the crossing before passing through it and have been since January.
Reply: We are working with the contractor to get a date to move the crossing arm, which will hope will occur in the next couple months.
Sacramento , CA:
Is there no hope for student pass next school year?
Reply: There is still a lot of hope. While the funding for the RydeFreeRT program is not completely set, we continue to work with the City and County of Sacramento, other Cities in our area and the School Districts to cobble together enough funding to maintain the program.
Parents and students who benefit form the program can help by contacting their local agencies and expressing support for the RydeFreeRT program.
Sacramento, CA:
What is the game plan to bring 15 minute service back for all trips to/from Folsom? The service was reduced by 50% on Feb 19 and since then there haven't been any updates about bringing it back. What is RT's plan? There haven't been any updates at sacrt.com/folsom15. Also, do you have stats on on time performance even after reducing the new service by 50%? Anecdotally, there have still been plenty of delays, and trains that were supposed to continue on to Folsom past Sunrise that did not. Thank you.
Reply: For the time being, we think three trips per hour to Folsom is the most we can reliably operate, each 15 minutes apart, but with a 30-minute gap between the last one and the next set of three.
There are some short-term and some long-term things we are working on to address this situation. Long-term, we think it will be necessary to extend double-tracking a little over a mile to Aerojet Road. We have completed engineering plans for this, but construction has not yet been funded.
In the short-term, we are working on securing an operator break room at Historic Folsom, which would allow us to save time on inbound trips by having fewer operator reliefs at Sunrise station.
Elk Grove , CA:
Will e Tran get Sunday and holiday service anytime soon? It’s been years and SacRT has done basically nothing with it.
Reply: Thanks for the question. We are actually just beginning our Comprehensive Operational Analysis, which will look at exactly that question, among many others. It will be difficult, because SacRT is facing challenging budgets, with the expiration of several of the post-pandemic federal assistance programs, but we will be looking both in the short-term (e.g., through reallocation or redesign) and at the long-term (e.g., what we'd do if we got additional revenues, such as from a new local sales tax). We will be seeking input from the community about what priorities should be for Elk Grove. For instance, is it better to spend on one major route, such as Bus Rapid Transit or light rail farther into Elk Grove, or to spread what money there is around more, to try to get Sunday/Holiday bus service throughout the city.
Elk Grove , CA:
1. The bus stop on consumes river blvd and Bruceville that the 114 and 115 serve has been missing a bus stop sign for an awhile now.
2. Can the 110 get infill stops near the southern end since the area is getting developed. Example: whitelock + Cape Verde. Maybe a slight reroute at the terminus too.
3. Will route 111 also get rerouted in conjunction with new housing south of Whitelock?
4. Any idea when a short route from Franklin to delta shores is happening since there’s also housing almost done along consumnes river blvd
Reply: Thank you for your questions. I will ask our Facilities Department to replace the bus stop sign at Cosumnes River Boulevard and Bruceville.
Regarding the #110 and the lack of stops near the southern end, that was a need that was identified in our Bus Stop Improvement Plan. We've been working with the City to try to get sidewalk modifications so that we can open ADA-compliant stops along the route.
Regarding your other questions-we are just beginning a Comprehensive Operational Analysis, a year-long analysis that will inform our decisions about routes, timing, and other service-related questions. We hope to have that done before the end of this year!
Natomas, CA:
I read the article on the website about the Comprehensive Operational Analysis, and found it extremely interesting. What are your expectations when the project is completed? I would like to see a focus on near term bus service in the Natomas area to Sacramento International Airport. I have used the existing Route 13 to the Walgreens off of El Centro and Del Paso, and then order a LYFT the remainder of my trip. It’s amazing that the bus fare is $2.50 per one ride and/or $7.00 for all day, and the LYFT is at least $10.00 for a one way car ride from the Walgreens to the SMF terminals. Hopefully SacRT can address this and accommodate a short extension of Route 13 to SMF sometime soon so that the notion of ordering a LYFT will not have to factor in to when an individual does their own personal trip planning. Thank you.
Reply: We have looked at extensions to both Route 11 and Route 13 to the airport. Both would be very expensive, e.g., $1 to 2 million per year. Keep in mind, an airport route needs to run seven days a week, very early in the morning, and very late at night. Right now, SacRT has been facing the need to reduce expenses, including the need to use one-time state money from SB 125 to help balance our budget, so there is not much money right now for expansion, unless there's a new local funding for transit. That said, we're still looking into ways to perhaps reallocate service from less productive areas, or to secure grants or other funds to help pay for more service in Natomas, because we recognize it's an underserved area.
South Sacramento, CA:
I read on your internet site that there will be weekends in April and May to do bus bridges in North Sacramento. When will it be South Sacramento’s turn to get our station platforms modified to ultimately accommodate low floor light rail vehicles? Many, if not all of our stations in what was South Line Phase One need to be upgraded. It is my hope that SacRT can take advantage of the summer weather and lack of rainfall to get the much needed concrete pours done and the stations looking a bit different than they do now. Thank you for listening to the South Sacramento community.
Reply: SacRT is preparing to enter the next stage of construction, which will include modifications to the remaining Blue Line stations and further upgrades to Gold Line stations to accommodate three-car train operations. While the project timeline is still being developed, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026.
Midtown Sacramento, CA:
Curious about how Sacramento Regional Transit and the current Trump Administration view one another with regards to federal transit funding? Are you and the team facing uphill battles and challenges with regards to federal transit funding as compared to the Biden administration over the previous four years? If there are battles and challenges that are currently existing, what is being strategically developed to overcome anything between Sacramento Regional Transit and the Trump Administration?
Reply: SacRT does have several grants and other funding that have been part of the current administration's 90-day "Pause." We remain hopeful that the necessity of the projects and SacRT's reputation as a good steward of federal funding will prevail. We have that hope partially based on this quote from a recent US Senate hearing about the pause: "Most of these projects are really good projects and I haven't found many that I disagree with so far;"
Antelope , CA:
Three things I’m asking. What station is next after alkali flat? When will the gold line be 100% low floor soon? Why is a daily pass still $7 instead of $6 before the fare hikes of 2016?
Reply: SacRT is preparing to enter the next stage of construction, which will include modifications to the remaining Blue Line stations and further upgrades to Gold Line stations to accommodate three-car train operations. While the project timeline is still being developed, construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026.
Regarding the pricing of the daily pass, we will be reviewing fare structure in our Comprehensive Operational Analysis, although a lot of agencies are currently raising fares, due to budget challenges. We hope to avoid that, but it may be something we have to look at. More Information at sacrt.com/coa.
Sacramento, CA:
RT recently published on social/the website that one can take certain Yolobus routes to baseball games at Sutter Health Park. This has always been the case, however - not a new service. Is RT working on any greater coordination with Yolobus to help improve connection times between RT services and these Yolobus routes? I've taken the 42B from Davis to Sacramento many times and missed my light rail in downtown Sacramento because Yolobus was way behind schedule.
Reply: Our staff was out for the home opener, to assist customers in finding their way, either to a connecting bus, or just across Tower Bridge, if they felt like walking. Due to a fair amount of parking being available ridership on light rail was fairly light, e.g., 20 to 40 customers total. This is similar to the ridership we would see decades ago when SacRT used to run a special shuttle across the river for Rivercats games (paid for by the Rivercats). The Athletics have not wanted to fund anything like that, so at this time, we think we'll stick with what we have now, which is a great connection to downtown via light rail, and plenty of options from our partners at Yolobus to get across the river, for people who don't want to walk.
Sacramento , CA:
I know there’s a bridge to connect houses across the creek to the Franklin station but how feasible is a bridge to connect the Morison creek station since some parts of the neighbood are a mile from the nearest station.
Reply: his is an interesting idea, unfortunately, the bridge would have to span Union Pacific Railroad tracks as well as the Morrison Creek Flood control channel. The cost and engineering requirements to cover that distance, and that some of it is private property, probably make a bridge infeasible.
Sacramento, CA:
On Sac Republic match days at Heart Health Park it would be nice if the last scheduled bus routes 67 and 68 could leave a little bit later for the 7pm/8pm matches. You have to leave the match early if you want to get home by bus. Also, if it would be possible to have a temporary bus stop set up for match days that is closer to the stadium than Exposition Blvd & Response, similar to what has been set up for the State Fair in the past. Thank you.
Reply: I'll bring this up with our team to discuss. We have seen strong ridership to Republic FC games (e.g., 1,000 riders each way) when they have done special events at Hughes Stadium at Sac City College, where parking is more challenging. Not sure there is the same demand for transit at Cal Expo, but we'll take a look. Thank you!
Citrus Heights 95610, CA:
During these last few days, SacRT has published a video and writings named "Respect the Ride. Respect the Driver." What prompted your agency to create and deliver these at this time? Also, what do you advise bystanders to do if they observe disturbing or other behavior of concern while riding bus or light rail?
Reply: Thank you for your question. The Respect the Ride - Respect the Driver campaign was launched as part of our ongoing commitment to promote a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment for both our riders and our frontline employees.
While there was no single incident that prompted the campaign, SacRT-like many transit agencies across the country-has seen an increase in reports of disruptive and occasionally aggressive behavior on board buses and trains in recent years. Our operators and frontline staff play a critical role in keeping the system moving, and we want to make sure they feel safe and supported while serving the public. The campaign is also a way to remind all riders that kindness and courtesy go a long way in creating a better transit experience for everyone.
If a rider witnesses any concerning or disruptive behavior while riding SacRT, we encourage them to report it using our Alert SacRT app, which allows users to discreetly report issues directly to our Security Operations Center. Riders can also call dial 911 in an emergency situation.
We appreciate everyone doing their part to help keep SacRT a safe and respectful space for all.
Rancho Cordova, CA:
I hope this message finds you well. I reached out last month with a similar message and will continue to do so to ensure you are aware of commuters' frustrations. As a frequent commuter on the Gold Line, I am compelled to bring to your attention several critical issues that severely impact the effectiveness of the alerts provided by Sacramento Regional Transit on the Gold Line.
Unhelpful Alerts: The alerts received via the app are often vague and not actionable. For example, an alert may state, "Be advised of a delay on the Gold Line; a Folsom-bound train is running 15+ minutes late. We apologize for the inconvenience." This information does not specify which train is delayed or provide any context for commuters, making it nearly impossible to plan our journeys effectively.
Lack of Real-Time Updates: There are numerous instances when a train is supposed to arrive at the scheduled time according to the overhead sign, but no train arrives, and there are no alerts or updates on when the next one should come. Commuters are left stranded, hoping that another train will arrive soon. In such cases, I often have to call SacRT for an estimated time. This is unacceptable. If this information were automated via the overhead sign, it would save valuable time for both commuters and employees.
To illustrate the issue, at any given point, there are at least 4-6 trains running on the Gold Line, with two or three using the Folsom-bound rail. If a train is running 15 minutes late, it is unclear which specific train is affected and how it impacts the overall schedule. Commuters need precise information to plan their journeys effectively.
Furthermore, I am aware that the new trains are equipped with GPS technology. Given this capability, it is imperative that the overhead signs display the next time of arrival based on real-time data rather than the scheduled time. Currently, displaying only the scheduled times is equivalent to posting a timetable that already exists at the station and does not provide real-time updates.
In fact, I am seriously considering placing Apple AirTags on trains to track their locations myself, as the current system fails to provide the necessary real-time updates. However, I believe that with the existing GPS technology, SacRT can and must offer a more reliable and accurate alert system without commuters resorting to such measures.
I strongly urge that the alert system be reviewed and improved to provide timely and accurate information. Specifically, the alerts must:
Clearly identify which specific train is delayed.
Offer estimated times for the next available trains.
Ensure that the overhead signs and app alerts are consistent.
Utilize GPS data to show real-time arrival times on overhead signs.
Improving the alert system is not just a request but a necessity to enhance the commuting experience and reduce frustration among SacRT users. It's 2025 now. There are multiple solutions to this problem.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response.
Reply: Thank you for your important feedback about train delays and issues on the Gold Line. Please know that a lot of the items you raised would be resolved with real-time train tracking, which we continue to work on as we replace the legacy fleet, which has outdated technology, with the new low-floor trains.
We will be going out with an RFP in the next couple of months seeking a technology vendor to assist with the implementation. In the meantime, I will direct staff to take a closer look at how we can better message customer about train disruptions both at the station and through the Alert SacRT app.
Citrus Heights 95610, CA:
A few days ago, you launched Tap2Ride which is very convenient to pay fares on buses. It appears, however, that free transfers aren't currently available within a 90-minute window like with ZipPass. When do you foresee the full ability to transfer both ways between light rail and bus using Tap2Ride? Also, if a rider taps on light rail within 90 minutes after tapping on a bus, have you considered some form of refund, reimbursement or credit? Thanks!
Reply: At this time we are working towards integrating the system that manages contactless payments at light rail with the new Tap2ride system on the buses. We expect to have a solution in place later this year.
For passengers who ride both light rail and bus it may be most convenient and cost effective to continue using one of SacRTs other fare payment platforms (Connect Card, ZipPass, etc.).
Sacramento, CA:
Are announcements on light rail easily customized? It seems like it would make things more user friendly especially for infrequent riders and potentially visually impaired riders as well to announce which side of the train the doors will open on, bus route connections at stations, and even possibly points of interest at each stop. The Metro in LA (for example) does a great job of quickly and efficiently announcing this information between stops. Thanks.
Reply: The announcements are flexible and customizable. The challenge is automating them, especially when the schedule is disrupted. Without automation, it is difficult for supervisors or anyone else to manually update signs at over 50 stations, especially as trains pass through each station, potentially changing its status (e.g., from 10-15 minutes late to the following train being on-time).
SacRT is pursuing a SCADA system, which would provide more comprehensive system status to both our supervisors and our passenger information systems.
Sacramento, CA:
How many citations have been issued with the new bus stop enforcement program since the warning period is over? Also, how will SacRT be using the 25% of funds received?
Reply: During the first month of the citation period, February 18 through March 18, the City of Sacramento issued 2,370 citations to drivers illegally parked in bus stops. The money we receive will be part of our operations budget.
Sacramento, CA:
Show the new payment I forgot what it’s called but I can use it on my Apple Watch or my iPhone
Reply: Yes, the new Tap2Ride contactless fare payment on SacRT buses and SacRT GO paratransit vehicles allows payment through Apple Watch and iPhone. Learn more at sacrt.com/Tap2Ride.
Elk Grove , CA:
I subscribe to text alerts for eTran commuter busses where it would say what bus number was coming and an ETA. That stopped working months ago. All I see in no pred right now. Will this and GPS real-time bus locations ever work again?
Reply: All Elk Grove Transit Services are now on the SacRT Bus Tracker app. Please download the SacRT Bus Tracker app and set up your bus options there. Check out sacrt.com/BusTracker for details.
Sacramento, CA:
Who owns the field area adjacent to Swanston Station? I used to work in an office in Harvard Park (the business park across from the Hilton Arden West on Harvard Street) and would have loved to take light rail to Swanston and just walked through that field to work, but there's a fence and train tracks. I know a while back (10+ years ago) there was some talk about improving the area around Swanston Station and making it into a "transit village" and wondering if something like that is still in consideration. It's a pretty underutilized station with a lot of potential around it.
Reply: Thank you for the question. Basin Street Properties now owns the parcel to the east. They are working with National Health Care Advisors to potentially bring a Community Care Campus to Harvard St. Business Park. Previously the city of Sacramento did prepare a Swanston Station Transit Village Plan that would provide a pedestrian crossing over the heavy rail tracks: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/community-development/planning/long-range/transit-oriented-development/swanston-station-transit-village-plan