Sacramento, CA:
Why is there an unused railroad crossing signal in the loop track in the light rail yard? I always see it when I ride the train.
Reply: The crossing equipment has been used for parts to repair other damaged crossings, and is in an area we use to store large materials for the Wayside crew. It is not in use. Thank you for asking!
Sacramento, CA:
What happened to light rail car 207? I always see it in the same spot in the yard.
Reply: LRV 207 is being used as a parts vehicle to help keep other CAF cars in service. It was damaged many years ago in an accident that occurred in the yard and also had a damaged articulation pin back in 2008-2009.
Folsom, CA:
Will there be a feature to alert transit ambassadors and/or security to hop back onto a car that I am experiencing problems on?
Reply: Thanks for the question. Riders are encouraged to report the train number in the Alert SacRT app so we can quickly identify the exact vehicle and respond as efficiently as possible. When a report comes in, it is sent to our Security Operations Center, who can notify our Transit Ambassadors.
Our goal is to have a staff presence on every train, which will make it even easier to assist customers right away. We appreciate you using the app to help us respond quickly and keep the system safe.
Antelope, CA:
Hey Henry Li. Three things I want to ask and/or bring up. When will the station announcements on the trains be updated to remind riders which side of the train to get off at depending on the station, on the SacRT flex app, I’ve been getting a pop up saying that smart ride ended and I should apply for SacRT flex. I thought I already did and I thought smart ride already ended. Why is it showing up? And finally, any plans between now and 2050 to restore bus service in Antelope? I have to walk about 2.5 miles just to catch the nearest bus on saturdays and speaking of which, any plans to make SacRT flex run on saturdays?
Reply: Thank you for the thoughtful questions about SacRT service. We are in the process of implementing real-time train tracking that includes schedule updates on station signage over the next year. At this time, there are no plans to make announcements onboard trains about which side to exit at stations; however, I will raise that question if it's something that can be easily programmed.
Related to pop-up messages on the SacRT Flex app, this is the first time I've heard that there's an issue. Thank you for sharing as I'll ask the team in charge to check on it and remove the message. In response to your question about service to Antelope, SacRT is in the process of updating it's short-range and long-range service plans. As part of the process, we've asked the public to provide comment. Please email coa@sacrt.com to provide comment on future route requests/restoration.
Natomas, CA:
What are SacRT’s near future plans for bus service to/from the Sacramento Airport for the betterment of the Natomas community - both residences and businesses? I know that the airport itself is undergoing their own “SMF Forward” project. Do you and the SacRT team feel that they can safely do something safely once that project is complete? I don’t want to travel to downtown from Natomas to connect to the Route 142. That is back-tracking and not showing that today’s travel to the airport is “presentable” for Natomas folks. Thank you.
Reply: We are very interested in a light rail connection to the airport, but recent estimates put the cost at around $2B. To advance this concept, while staying within our economic means, SacRT recently submitted a grant to study a Bus Rapid Transit project to the Airport that would run on the same route planned for light rail. BRT would include stations in the same place and run on the same rights of way as the light rail plan, but BRT can be done for about 1/3 the cost as light rail. The BRT is being considered as a first step and "down payment" towards an eventual light rail line connection, when additional funds are available.
Sacramento, CA:
Good afternoon, a couple of chats ago, you mentioned that once the 33 is discontinued, you would transfer the savings to make the 30 line every 15 mins once more, was that an idea or is that going to happen?
Reply: SacRT is still in the middle of our Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), a look at all of our fixed-route bus routes and connections. When the COA is complete later this year, we will have a better idea of where we can make service adjustments. As you hinted, any future service improvements will be based on ridership potential and available funding to maximize the investment. I also encourage you to voice your suggestion by sending an email to coa@sacrt.com. You can also learn more about the process by visiting sacrt.com/sacrt2050.
South Sacramento, CA:
Recently, I saw while watching the news that SacRT and Elk Grove are making news about the possibility of a light rail extension to Elk Grove. My curiosity is how will it be paid for, should it be given the green light? I don’t know the SacRT financial situation. I am assuming that it is not good at the moment, and that even if the Safe Streets and Public Transit act were to pass in November that the ones to benefit are voters and residents of the City of Sacramento. I don’t know if other residents are going to reap any of the benefits of that initiative if it is only approved within voters of the City of Sacramento. Thank you for looking into this matter.
Reply: We are very early in the planning stages of the light rail extension to Elk Grove and we have not identified any funding for it yet. It will likely have to be paid for from state and federal grants in future years. You are correct that the revenue from a new tax measure that may be on the ballot in just the City of Sacramento later this year would have to be spent on improving our system within the City of Sacramento limits.
Folsom, CA:
Is another passing track being considered or additional double track east of Sunrise so that one train per hour doesn’t have to be forced to turn at Sunrise, as is the case today?
Reply: Yes, we are applying for grant funds and hopefully we will be able to make those additions. However, we do not yet have a time line.
Citrus Heights, CA:
Through your Comprehensive Operational Analysis, what potential service changes or service improvements can the riders and non-riders of the City of Citrus Heights potentially benefit from?
Reply: It is really too early to tell. The COA is just that, a comprehensive look at our routes and connections. We know that some areas of our region could be better served, but we are also limited by our operational funding. The COA is due later this year and hopefully it will answer this question.
Sacramento, CA:
Does the preliminary upcoming fiscal year budget call for any service cuts, fare adjustments, and hiring freezes, or is the preliminary budget much more positive than perhaps my thought process is at the moment?
Reply: There are no service cuts, fare adjustments or hiring freezes planned for the next fiscal year within the proposed FY 27 Operating Budget. Below is an excerpt from the budget staff report that went to the SacRT Board in March.
Assumptions Built into the FY 2027 Budget
The Operating Budgeting process is a significant undertaking that requires input from all divisions and departments, consideration of economic conditions, goals, and objectives by the Board, all balanced by the need to keep costs within estimated revenue projections. The assumptions used in this budget were built on a variety of sources.
These assumptions are as follows:
- Service levels have been budgeted without reductions, allowing for minor service modifications.
- The budget will support SacRT strategic priorities such as our customer first approach to services and business optimization.
- SB125 state funding is being used to offset the loss of fares and other revenues due to various economic factors.
- All merit increases will be received by employees per Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA).
- There will be no fare rate adjustments.
Learn more at sacrt.com/Budget.
Sacramento, CA:
I saw in the Sacramento Business Journal that you are selling your property to Sutter. What is your long term plan to relocate? The current facility is in a perfect location. I can’t imagine you would want to move.
Reply: Some of our midtown property is vacant and some is still used as our Bus Maintenance Facility (BMF) however, it really is not the best location for that. We hope to develop two new bus maintenance facilities--one at McClellan, where we currently fuel our CNG bus fleet. We are hoping to add hydrogen capability there, for fuel-cell electric buses in the future. And we also need a BMF in the south area, that location would primarily be for battery electric buses. We still need to identify a location for that facility.
Sacramento, CA:
Hi, can you please clarify whether a Single Basic Ride for $2.50 purchased on the Transit Connect app is valid for transfers from RT bus or light rail to Yolobus? RT recently posted on Facebook about riding public transportation to the River Cats/A's and that it only costs $2.50 to use SacRT + Yolobus to get there but I thought the only RT fares that allow transfers between RT and Yolobus are RT's daily, semimonthly, and monthly passes. I think it's great that you are raising awareness of places people can go using public transportation, but it's important to provide accurate information so people don't end up frustrated if they go and try it out and something as simple as the fare isn't what they expect it to be. That will ultimately make people not want to try transit again. Thank you!
Reply: Thank you for reaching out and for checking on this, we appreciate you wanting to make sure riders have accurate information.
To clarify, a $2.50 Single Basic Ride on Transit Connect does not include transfers between SacRT and Yolobus. Transfers between the two systems are only included when using a SacRT daily pass, semimonthly pass, or monthly pass.
You are absolutely right that using a Daily Pass is the best option for riders traveling between SacRT and Yolobus for trips like games at Sutter Health Park. We will review our recent messaging to make sure it is clear so riders aren’t caught off guard by fare differences.
Thank you again for bringing this to our attention and helping ensure the information we provide is accurate and easy to understand is incredibly important, and feedback like yours helps us improve the rider experience.
Sacramento, CA:
Could RT explore a partnership with the Amazon facilities next to the airport to bring a public transportation option there? I sometimes see people getting off the 142 bus wearing Amazon uniforms and then getting on their bikes.
Reply: We are in the middle of our Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) looking at our current routes and connections, and where we might be ab le to add service. The Natomas areas and service to Metro Airpark are on our radar, but it is too soon to know if we will be able to add service there. The COA is due out later this year. I also encourage you to voice your suggestion by sending an email to coa@sacrt.com. You can also learn more about the process by visiting sacrt.com/sacrt2050.
Elk Grove, CA:
Why don't we use the Amtrak lines like what LA Metro Link does? We could run trains from Rocklin to Sac which would boost downtown and help with commuter traffic. The Gold Runner line we could make stations along it since it goes through the east side of the county where there are no train lines and it also goes on the border of Sac State. We could have a station on Sac State campus which would help so much with traffic and help students since the university is expanding into downtown, it would give students another way of getting there. In short will you look into SacRT using the Amtrak lines as a form of daily transit and collaborate with San Joaquin county and Placer county to achieve this?
Rocklin to Sacramento (stations do not need to be built along the line)
Stockton to Sacramento (stations do need to be built along the line).
Reply: SacRT is limited by both the engineering and state regulations from using the Amtrak lines as you suggest. The rails and vehicles are different than our light rail system, and SacRT is prohibited by our enabling legislation and other regulations from running heavy rail systems to other jurisdictions. However, the Gold Runner is planning a northern extension, with several stops in Sacramento and we will coordinate with them as much as possible to make easy connections with our light rail service.
Sacramento, CA:
Hello, I’d like to know what progress has been made on real-time arrival information for light rail and on improving alerts in the Alert SacRT app. Right now, the alerts are often confusing or incomplete, and the unpredictability has made me ride significantly less often. I think many riders would agree that reliability matters even more than frequency of service. People depend on transit to get places on time, and in Sacramento, "public transportation delays" aren’t generally normalized as an excuse for being late to work, school, appointments, etc. like in larger cities where public transit is more ingrained and visible. What are the plans for improving the alerts and for rolling out real-time arrivals, and what's the timeline for doing so? Thanks.
Reply: We understand how important reliability and clear communication are for our riders, and we know that unpredictable service and unclear alerts can make planning your trip difficult.
SacRT currently has an active real-time train tracking project underway. This project will provide accurate, systemwide real-time arrival information for light rail. While we don’t have a timeline to share yet, it is a high-priority effort, and once implemented it will also allow us to deliver more precise and timely alerts directly through the Alert SacRT app.
In the meantime, we continue to work closely with our Security Operations Center to refine and improve alert messages. Right now, these alerts are generated through a manual process, and we know this can lead to messages that feel incomplete or unclear. Streamlining and improving these communications is an ongoing effort, and feedback like yours helps guide that work.
Sacramento, CA:
Most Republic FC matches are on Saturday afternoons/evenings. When they are in the new stadium and the Green Line reopens with the new station, will the Green Line begin operating on the weekends (or at least Saturdays when there is a match at the stadium)?
Reply: Thank you for your question. Construction of the new station along the Green Line near the future Sacramento Republic FC stadium is expected to be complete by this summer. While the Green Line is currently funded to operate only Monday through Friday, we are actively in discussions with the Republic FC team to explore options for providing service on Saturdays for home matches once the stadium opens. We appreciate the community's interest and will share updates as plans develop.
Sacramento, CA:
Do you have any plans for any ballot measures for transit funding in 2026 or 2028?
Reply: SacRT does not have a role in placing a measure on the ballot this year. However, we are aware that an independent citizen group is currently gathering signatures for a potential November measure that would apply only within the City of Sacramento. Based on publicly available information, the proposal would generate approximately $70 million per year, with funding split evenly between SacRT and roadway and bridge maintenance within the city.
Folsom, CA:
Is there a plan to increase bus and light rail frequency?
Reply: We are in the middle of our Comprehensive Operational Analysis, due out later this year, that may identify where we can expand or enhance bus service. There are no current plans to provide more frequent Light Rail Service, except on the Gold Line to Folsom, where we are hoping to extend the passing track that would allow for 15-minute service for all four trains per hour to the end of the line at Historic Folsom.
North Highlands, CA:
I have more and more noticed your uniformed personnel at stations much more subject to both verbal and physical abuse as a result of folks getting upset over the trains being temporarily substituted with bus bridges. Most of what I have observed has been verbal in nature. In one instance, however, an employee in uniform was physically abused by a person that was upset for the fact that there is currently no bus or train at the lower level of Watt/I-80. Here then is my question and follow-up question. Is there any way that passenger behavior can be controlled and not take their “bad day” out on your employees that are there to inform and advise as to what is going on and why? Also, is there a procedure and a process that employees can do to fight back abusers and attackers without resorting to physical retaliation against these abusers and attackers? My point in all this is that I am hoping that employees out there on the front lines have protections in place and should never be subject to such behavior by system users. Violence by persons against employees should be considered workplace violence and employees should never be forced to be placed at posts where this type of behavior by the general public is ever acceptable. Thank you and please thank your front line staff for all that they do. They deserve better from the riding and non riding public regardless of bus bridges or normal service.
Reply: Thank you for raising this concern and for your kindness toward our frontline staff. We share your appreciation for the important work they do every day, often in challenging situations.
The safety and well-being of our employees and customers is a top priority for SacRT. Unfortunately, verbal and occasionally physical aggression from members of the public does occur, and we take these incidents very seriously.
Our staff are trained in de-escalation techniques and in procedures for requesting assistance from our Security Operations Center, Transit Ambassadors, and law enforcement partners when needed. Employees are instructed not to physically engage with aggressive individuals; instead, they follow established protocols to keep themselves and others safe.
We continue to work closely with our security team to strengthen safety measures at stations, particularly during bus bridges or service disruptions when frustrations can be higher. Incidents of violence or threats against employees are treated as workplace violence, and staff are encouraged to report all such events so that appropriate action and support can be provided.
We appreciate your concern and your support for our frontline team. They are dedicated professionals who deserve respect and safety on the job, and feedback like yours helps reinforce the importance of their work.
South Sacramento, CA:
When are bus bridges in place between City College and Florin, and when are they not? Of late, it seems like it is going back-and-forth, and riders do not know what to expect from one day to the next or one week to the next? Thank you for clarifying this.
Reply: Due to cooler temperatures, we were able to cancel the bus bridges earlier this week. Starting today, Friday, April 3, we started the bus bridges again for the emergency repairs to the substaion. We hope the work can be done by end of service on Monday. We are sharing messaging on the Alert SacRT app, Alerts page and the website at Blueline Repairs