Natomas, CA:
I read and heard about the comprehensive operational analysis. Tell me what the thinking is with regards to route redesign and span of service in Natomas and if there is any preliminary plan for bus service in Natomas to/from Sacramento International Airport. I hope that there will be some improvements that Regional Transit is considering?
Reply: We have been looking at ways to improve headways to every 30 minutes on Route 11 (Natomas/Truxel) by reallocating from lower-ridership sections. Without any funds for expansion, the cost to extend the route all the way to the airport is too high to cover it just by reallocating service from elsewhere.
However, there is a chance that SacRT could get mitigation money from Caltrans for their I-5 Managed Lanes project. This could give us money for Route 11 sufficient to improve it to every 15-minute frequency on the existing route. For that amount of money, we could alternatively extend the route to the airport on longer headways, more like every 30 minutes, with perhaps some 15-minute headways.
Sacramento, CA:
What is happening around the Alkali Flat Light Rail Station area? Construction crews have blocked off a huge area around 12th and E Streets. Even temporary Route 33 has moved its stop to 12th just south of E Street versus E Street just west of 12th Street.
Reply: There is a infill development housing project that is being built across the street from the light rail station. The 132 unit development is known as Esperanza. More information on the developers website: https://www.urbancapitalca.com/project/12e
South Sacramento, CA:
I was told that Sacramento Regional Transit is looking at its existing service on the streets and roads and may be looking to make some changes in order to respond to customer feedback and make the bus routes more efficient. If that’s being looked into, I hope service at Delta Shores will be reconsidered. The last time I took RT there it was Route 65. Is there a possibility that either Route 56 or Route 62 somehow be candidate routes to serve Delta Shores and during what service change timeframe would this possibly occur? Thank you.
Reply: We have been looking into ways to serve Delta Shores, both from Sacramento and from Elk Grove. The budget for new service is zero right now, but we may have some options to reallocate existing service. We are examining this through our Comprehensive Operational Analysis
Sacramento, CA:
With the kids ride free policy available, Will SacRT come up with a plan to stop at or near every school in our area so kids can actually have an option to take the bus to school everyday. Also, could SacRT be an option for schools to charter a small (shuttle) bus for school travel? Sports traveling, field trips (within the region)?
Reply: SacRT is proud to operate RydeFreeRT and provide a critical connection for our students. While we strive to offer the most convenient access to our services for students, transit operators in general are restricted from stopping on school property. We are also restricted, by law, from providing charter services for schools; with the idea being private vendors should have that opportunity.
Within the bounds of our ability, we are currently planning to improve the access and safety of our current stop locations throughout our Safe Routes to Transit initiative. We hope to partner with local jurisdictions to add safe crossings, improve sidewalks, and add bike lanes around our transit system. The SacRT Safe Routes to Transit Plan will be kicking-off in Fall 2025 and public outreach will take place in early 2026. We hope you can participate in its development and provide support in the community.
Fomsom, CA:
Hey Henri li. I’m a frequent and occasional SacRT flex user. I often times am out in Folsom to wait for my flex where I used to wait for smart ride. I’ve curiously noticed there is a smart ride “bus stop” by historic Folsom light rail station there. When will it be updated to say SacRT flex “bus stop”?
Reply: Thank you for being a rider. I also appreciate you pointing out the outdated SmaRT Ride bus stop sign. I will ask my facilities team to address.
Citrus heights, CA:
So, when will the gold line be consistently only the new s700s and no more CAF’s?
Reply: Thank you for the question. We are actively receiving and testing new s700 vehicles We should have additional vehicles accepted for revenue service in the coming weeks and by fall we anticipate operating all gold line trains with low floor vehicles.
Antelope, CA:
I am curious though. Is the ENTIRE green line shutdown, meaning the stations shared with the gold and blue lines too or just 7th and Richard’s?
Reply: Operations on the Green Line is temporarily suspended to allow for the construction of a new station at Railyards and 7th Street. The construction is only impacting the Township 9 Station on the Green Line. The Blue and Gold Lines continue to operate as normal. Please find more information here: https://www.sacrt.com/greenline/
Sacramento, CA:
Why is there not a bus route at every LR station? I know this the case at Howe/Power Inn and at 47th. Both on major corridors of regular car travel. Maybe a non-driving option should be made available at these stations - and there are other stations with zero transit available.
Reply: Thank you for asking. As you know we are limited in the amount of service we can provide based on funding. SacRT receives approximately 1/5th of a penny in local sales tax, while many of our west coast peers received 1/2 cent or a full penny.
As such we try to design our routes to best serve our customers. To use the Gold Line as an example, the #26 Fulton could go to Power Inn station, instead of University/65th Street station, but then it would no longer have direct connections to the #81 Florin, the #38 Tahoe Park, etc.
In other words, we typically (not always) have the bus routes meet at major transfer points, to achieve the benefits of a hub-and-spoke system. If we had the routes just go to the nearest station, there would be a lot more cases of riders having to transfer twice—from their first bus, to light rail for one station, to their second bus.
Sacramento , CA:
Any new funding bills ?
Reply: Are you referring to state or federal bills? At the state levels we are monitoring the work to reauthorize the Cap and Trade program. At the federal level, they are currently marking up the transportation appropriations bill in both chambers.
Citrus Hrights, CA:
My adult son is neurodevelopmentally disabled and currently uses a Connect Card that is autoloaded every month through his service coordinator at Alta California Regional Center. How will this new fare payment app work out for people like my adult son going forward? Has the district and neighboring transit agencies been in contact and conversations with Alta California Regional Center to come to an agreed upon solution so that no Alta Client is left behind. Remember, not all riders, my adult son included, have a phone, nor do they understand phone technology to have one. Let’s hope no one takes this for granted in assuming that every person has a device, even these days too. Thank you.
Reply: Thank you for your question. The new fare system will launch in two phases. The first phase is mobile only and will replace SacRT’s ZipPass application. Corporate accounts such as Alta will transition during phase 2 when connect card features such as physical card stock and electronic validation among others become available.
Alta clients will continue to have their fare loaded each month by Alta staff. Clients may have the option to have fares loaded onto a Connect card style transit card or directly onto their mobile device, whichever they prefer.
As we get closer to implementation SacRT will work closely with the Alta team to ensure a smooth transition for their clients.
Sacramento, CA:
I have recently been following a state assembly bill that would ban individuals with repetitive bad behavior and nonpayment riders from transit systems statewide. I believe it is AB-394 by Assemblymember Wilson. What is the status of this bill in getting to the Governor’s desk for his signature and how has Sacramento Regional Transit been involved in actively advocating for the bill’s passage?
Reply: Thank you for asking. We are actively tracking AB 394 and have supported the legislation. The Senate Judiciary Committee passed AB 394 on July 15 on a 13-0 vote. The legislature is currently on recess and the bill is in the Senate Appropriations Committee when the resume session.
Elk Grove, CA:
Can you speak to what your 5-year vision is for SacRT? What are your top priorities for these upcoming years?
Reply: Glad you asked the question. SacRT is actively working on our top priorities through a Comprehensive Operational Analysis. This effort will provide an opportunity to take a fresh look at our service offerings and will culminate in an update of both our Short-Range Transit Plan (2026 to 2030) and Long-Range Transit Plan (next 30 years). At the same time, we are very engaged with community members through our Transit Idea Exchange workshops that have and will continue to be held through the Sacramento region. Both of these efforts will drive our priorities (e.g., fix it first, new service, and/or service expansion). However, none of it can be achieved without long-term sustainable funding. SacRT only receives just 1/5th of a penny in local funding – in fact, SacRT’s local funding is up to five times less than more robust transit agencies receive, which can be as high as a penny and a half. We encourage you to visit sacrt.com to see how you can be part of the solution.
Citrus Heights and Anyelope, CA:
Hi Henry. It’s me again. I realize that we willl eventually all have to use our smart phones to pay fare and board the bus and light rail. I just like the convenience of physical fare media like connect card and the Los Rios UTP. Is this new transit connect thing going to be digital only and will it be possible one day in the future smart phone will be the ONLY way to pay fare?
Reply: The new electronic fare system will combine the features of Connect Card and ZipPass in addition to others. While phase 1 will be mobile only, phase 2 will launch in 2026 and passengers will have the flexibility to choose between the mobile app or a physical connect card style transit card all within the same regional back office. SacRT does not envision transitioning off of connect card until phase 2 has been launched and a direct replacement for Connect Card is available.