Antelope, CA:
Hi Henri Li. It’s me Stephen Welton from Antelope CA, 95843. Unlike last gm chat, I have five questions this time:
1. A while ago, when I was riding the blue line from downtown sac to watt/ i80, when the train was passing by watt/i80 west, I heard the operator announce that the station was by stop request only. Can that come back, since hardly anything exists at that station?
2. Also, can the same thing be done with the Morrison creek station since that station is so barren?
3. When do you think you will work on the 12th and I station to prep it for the s700s?
4. I was trying to get off of route 25 the other day at greenback and Dewey but apparently there is not a bus stop after that until auburn and van maren. On the opposite side there was a bus stop in between. Can there be at least two more bus stops added between greenback and auburn heading towards Lewis and Orlando?
5. Regarding previous gm chat folks asking about ad wraps on both bus and light rail, do you think you can not only advertise how you guys need additional funding compared to your peers such as San Diego mts but also advertise how transit can save people money on travel especially since our gas prices are sky high?
Reply: Stephen, thank you for your questions. We typically stop at every light rail station just to make sure we don't miss someone at the station who wants to board. Your experience at Watt/I-80 may have been related to the construction that was going on there. Also, the stops are built into our schedules, so not stopping at Morrison Creek Station, for example, could throw off the timing for other stops and connections. The work at 12th & I Station has not yet been scheduled. We are continuing to plan for additional Blue Line platform work next year but no details yet.
Thank you for sharing your concern about the distance between stops on bus route 25 near Greenback and Dewey. We will refer your request to our Planning team to review the stop spacing in this area and evaluate whether additional stops toward Lewis and Orlando may be feasible. That review will consider safe access, roadway conditions, and service impacts. We appreciate you bringing this location to our attention.
For your last question, we have to be careful how we use our advertising, because we cannot use public funds to advocate for or against any policy issue that is on or may be on the ballot, but we can
Educate the public about the benefits of transit and the sources of revenue that support it. We have an active education campaign out this year.
Natomas, CA:
Hello. Yesterday, the 11 route had back to back to back cancellations. The bus serviced downtown at 3:30pm, and the next bus did not arrive until 6:40 pm. What is going on with this route?
Reply: Thank you for bringing this to our attention. We apologize for the extended wait and the disruption to your trip. Operator staffing shortages are affecting service across our routes, and we will review bus route 11 specifically to understand what caused the consecutive cancellations you reported yesterday.
We are working internally to expedite hiring and training additional operators to improve service reliability. We understand how difficult these gaps are for passengers who depend on us and appreciate you letting us know about your experience.
Sacramento, CA:
When is the green line going to be operational again? Wasn't this supposed to be operating before Aftershock? Are there delays?
Reply: Construction in the Railyards for our new station, and other non-SacRT projects has been on going, but we anticipate opening the new 7th & Railyards Station and reopening the Green Line later this month. Stay tuned!
Sacramento, CA:
When are we going to see relief from these bus cancellations? It feels like it's been every day for the last year.
Reply: Operator staffing shortages are affecting service across our routes. We are working internally to expedite hiring and training additional operators to improve service reliability. We understand how difficult these gaps are for passengers who depend on us and appreciate you letting us know about your experience.
River District of Sacramento, CA:
With the upcoming elimination of Route 33 and the addition of Commuter Route 133, will there be both a morning trip from Union Gospel Mission as well as an evening trip to Union Gospel Mission? I ask this question because of a flyer handed to me aboard Route 33 from one of your dedicated Transit Ambassadors only indicates one morning trip only and not a return trip. Thank you for looking into this and getting me some clarification. By the way, the Transit Ambassador that was aboard the route that provided the flyer is doing a splendid job for you and the organization.
Reply: Thank you for reaching out and for the kind words about our Transit Ambassador. We'll be sure to pass along your compliment!
To clarify, bus route 133 will operate one weekday morning trip only, and there will not be an evening return trip to Union Gospel Mission.
Route 33 is being discontinued because the opening of the new Dos Rios Station provides nearby Blue Line light rail service, making the bus route 33 service duplicative. Bus route 133 is a new commuter service designed to provide a morning connection, but it is not a replacement for bus route 33 and does not provide the same round-trip service.
We understand this is an important distinction, and we appreciate you taking the time to ask for clarification.
South Sacramento, CA:
I am receiving county benefits through the offices of the Department of Human Assistance. They recently closed their 28th Street office and moved everyone over to Florin Road at 24th Street. Would it be possible to look into making Route 81 a candidate for weekday service at once every fifteen minutes? I would assume that you would have to eliminate a route or two in order for this to pencil out - money wise. Along with the Department of Human Assistance along Florin Road, I have also taken notice of three high schools along this route too. Hopefully the route is a strong candidate for what I am requesting the transit agency look into and implement in 2027. Thank you.
Reply: Thank you for your question. Bus route 81 is a high performing route that could use 15 minute frequency. But as you note, it would cost additional funds to increase the headways on the route. We continuously analyze our routes and service to ensure we are meeting the needs of the community. I will ask our Planning Department to take a deeper look.
Sacramento, CA:
With the green line reopening sometime later this month and the Dos Rios station now open, will there be shuttle bus service from the new soccer stadium site to Dos Rios at the end of matches/games? I am assuming that the green line will not have late night service hours and will not travel a rail alignment past 13th Street Station. This is where shuttles from Dos Rios to and from the new stadium make sense to me as the blue line does operate late night and to many more stations that the green line assumingly will. Thank you.
Reply: Thank you for this question and your suggestion. We are still working through the timing and frequency of our service to the new stadium in the Railyards. We have some time to consider options and make those decisions, but we don't have the details just yet.
Citrus Heights, CA:
In wake of San Diego MTS implementing a fare increase on October 1st, do you anticipate that Sacramento RT will have to do the same in 2027, along with the possibility of service adjustments that could potentially impact low or no income riders?
Reply: SacRT has maintained balanced budget through FY 2027 by improving operational efficiency, controlling costs, and planning long term. State support through SB 125 and strategic actions, such as transitioning SmaRT Ride to SacRT Flex and shifting flexible funds to operations have helped stabilize finances. Looking ahead, additional cost reductions or new revenue will be needed to ensure ongoing fiscal sustainability. We're preparing for future gaps by reducing costs and identifying new revenue options. Early action or increased revenue growth, such as a dedicated local funding source for transit, could significantly strengthen SacRT's financial outlook.
Natomas, CA:
Does SacRT consider equity when choosing which routes are to be cancelled? What processes are used when determining which route is sacrificed?
Reply: We are always doing our best to minimize cancellations. On the occasion we have to, we take in a variety of considerations such as headways on routes, first and last trips of the day, commuter routes and more. Our goal is to minimize the wait time for the next bus, that is why you see routes with 15 minute headways cancelled first.
North Highlands, CA:
When is the ceremony for the completion of the Watt/I-80 Transit Center? I am assuming that construction there will wrap up sometime this month? I could be way off base, but I am going off of what I see when I am over there.
Reply: We are getting near the end of construction there, but we have not yet chosen a date to cut the ribbon. We are hoping for late this month, but there are many factors that go into making that decision. We are working on it.
Sac, CA:
If you were to give a grade to SacRT for performance, what would it be?
Reply: There are many ways to define "performance." SacRT does a very good job with the resources we have available to us. SacRT buses, light rail, paratransit, and other services operate every day of the year. Keeping them moving requires operators and mechanics, safety personnel, vehicles, tracks, stations, technology, maintenance, and ongoing investment. Fares alone do not cover the cost of operating and maintaining SacRT's system.
Riders pay a fare; however, the fare only covers about 7% of the cost to operate service. Keep in mind SacRT has not raised fares in close to a decade. Think about how much the cost of almost everything has gone up in that time period. The rest comes from public funding, including local, state, and federal dollars. Without a predictable source of local funding, SacRT must piece together resources from fares, existing local transportation funding, state and federal grants, and other sources. Sacramento is the largest city in California without a dedicated local funding source for public transit.
Agencies like BART, LA Metro, and TriMet in Portland all have one, which lets them plan in decades. SacRT plans in budget cycles. I'm sure you've heard this before, but SacRT receives only one-fifth of a cent from the existing local sales tax (almost 2x less than other major transit agencies). The vast majority of the remaining revenue is divided among roads, highways, and other transportation needs throughout Sacramento County.
This means SacRT does not have the same kind of predictable, dedicated local revenue available to many other major transit systems. Overall, SacRT has done an incredible job keeping our system is safe, clean and convenient. With additional funding, we could hire more operators and safety personnel, keep our system in a state of good repair, and keep fares affordable.
Sacramento, CA:
Are physical “Transit Connect” cards available at the customer service center here in the month of October? If not, what month do you anticipate this to happen? I am asking as a parent/caretaker on behalf of a client of the Alta California Regional Center.
Reply: Transit Connect cards won't be available until we rollout phase 2. Currently, only the Transit Connect app is available, but we hope to have the new cards available late this year or early next. More information will be available at sacrt.com/TransitConnect in the future.
Folsom, CA:
I have a question, but perhaps the Sacramento Area Council of Governments may know more about this. Would you or they happen to know when “Transit Connect” and fare payment methods like Apple Pay will be accepted on Transit bus routes like Placer County Transit, El Dorado Transit, and Roseville Transit? Will many of us that currently enjoy this flexibility at Sacramento Regional Transit have to wait well into 2027 for other transit properties in the Sacramento area to accept and be part of the new ways to pay? Thank you.
Reply: SacRT has Tap2Ride contactless fare payment devices on all of our buses. We are working on rolling those out into stations to allow for transfers between bus and light rail. In the future, all regional transit agencies will have the Tap2Ride option and the Transit Connect app option. More details will be available at sacrt.com/TransitConnect.
Each local transit provider is planning their own transition to more modern fare payment systems that include credit/debit payment options (including ApplePay/GooglePay) onboard vehicles and at light rail stations. I'd suggest passengers follow up with their local agency regarding timeline for implementation. Additionally, each of the agencies you mentioned will be participating in Transit Connect and are expected to join in 2027 following the rollout of phase II features at SacRT later this year.
Sacramento, CA:
What's the status of transitioning the bus fleet to the next generation?
Reply: We are continuing to plan for the transition to a mixed fleet of Electric and Hydrogen buses as required by state law, but those vehicels remain more expensive to purchase than traditioinal CNG buses. And in the case of Hydrogen, there is no reliable affordable,local supply, yet. We continue to work toward a hydrogen-based bus maintenance facility at McClellan, and we are considering how and where to establish a facility to charge a large fleet of electric buses. It is important that we plan carefully, as both of these systems are expenseive to build and difficult, if not impossible, to move once established.
Sacramento, CA:
How do the bus stop traffic cameras work? Does the bus operator have to flag a violation, or does the system automatically detect a violation? Does it capture vehicles during drive-by even if the bus is not stopping there? What percentage of buses have this system, and is it being expanded? Thanks
Reply: The camera system is entirely automatic. The driver is not involved in flagging or otherwise pointing out violations. and yes, it can capture violations at our stops even if a given bus does not stop there at that moment. The system is in place only in the City of Sacramento and is centered in the densest and high traffic areas.
Citrus Heights, CA:
How are fare enforcement procedures changing for light rail? It seemed that SacRT was taking a mostly educational approach to encourage riders to pay fares. The last few Board Meetings seem to convey a different tone and method, that to be fair to all, a Zero Tolerance Policy will be applied by giving citations instead. Is SacRT indeed going through such a change? How, when, and where will such enforcement changes be communicated?
Reply: SacRT is updating our fare enforcement practices to ensure a safe ride for all. As a result of complaints of people causing issues, Transit Ambassador's being assaulted and crimes and nuisance behavior it is our goal to provide a clean, safe, and convenient experience.
Transit Ambassadors will assist passengers in buying fare if there were any fare payment issues. If an individual is not able or willing to purchase fare a citation will be issues and the individual will be asked to exit the train.
Sacramento, CA:
Will SacRT be servicing the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train station on Elk Horn once it opens? Also, any idea when this will be opened?
Reply: SacRT and Valley Rail have been coordinating on the future extension of the train service. We anticipate contracting with them to provide bus service connecting Elkhorn Station with the Airport.