Comments from Mike Wiley:
Good afternoon and thank you for joining us for today's GM chat.
At the RT Board of Directors meeting held on January 23, RT's Planning department presented a draft service plan based on the results of the TransitRenewal comprehensive operational analysis.
The document outlined preliminary recommendations and key strategies for creating an RT service network that is more effective, efficient and sustainable under current and future funding constraints.
Some highlights of the draft five-year TransitRenewal plan include increased service frequency on many bus routes, realignment of others and discontinuation of a select few underperforming routes. The plan also calls for restored late-evening service on light rail and select bus routes.
If you would like to have an RT representative present the findings of the draft plan to a community organization, please contact Jo Noble, Senior Community and Government Affairs Officer at jnoble@sacrt.com. In addition, RT will also be scheduling a series of outreach events to be held at light rail stations and transit centers to review the information and receive comments.
When the TransitRenewal outreach is complete, RT staff will return to the RT Board of Directors to discuss recommendations for implementation and to request a public hearing. RT staff anticipates asking the Board for approval of the plan this spring.
Spring also marks the 4th annual State of RT Breakfast and TransitAction Awards. The event will be held on Friday, March 23, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento.
The State of RT provides an annual forum to discuss the Sacramento region's transit priorities, and the TransitAction Awards recognize efforts in support of transit and honor selected nominees that have made a significant and positive impact to public transit in the region. RT is calling for nominations through Friday, February 10. Nominations for the TransitAction Awards can be submitted for the following categories:
- Business of the Year
- Organization/Agency of the Year
- Transit Oriented Development of the Year
- Elected Official of the Year
- Individual/Transit Advocate of the Year
For more information about the TransitAction Awards and how to register for the State of RT Breakfast, visit www.sacrt.com/transitactionawards.
Sacramento, CA:
I heard that at a recent RT meeting the go ahead was given to charge for parking at additional stations but nothing been advertised.
Reply: Staff provided an informational briefing to the RT Board about pay for parking (Park Pay and Ride Program). The board took no action, but had a good deal of dialog about the program. At this point there are no changes to the program.
elk grove, CA:
Would there be magentic RT Card someday such as "Compass" card for San Diego or "Orca" card for Seattle
Reply: The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) has awarded a contract with INIT to build a smart card system for the region. Six transit operators will be using the smart card for our passes. The card is similar to the Orca card. RT will be the first system to test and implement the system. Our test program should start this summer with the full transition beginning in 2013.
Sacramento, CA:
In regards to TransitRenewal, will RT have the opportunity either in mid-June (Father's Day) at the earliest, or early September (Labor Day Weekend) at the latest to add back night service on certain bus lines as well as light rail, or will this type of action have to wait until at least January of 2013?
Reply: The Comprehensive Operational Analysis is nearly complete. This analysis is generating a service restoration plan and we are proposing implementing it in phases over the next five years. The first phase is likely to begin this September. Phase 1 includes some restoration of late night service and some bus service. The amount being restored is based upon the funding available.
Before the implementation, there will be public outreach and a public hearing about the plan. All the information about this plan will be available on www.sacrt.com/transitrenewal.
Sacramento, CA:
In regards to Richards Boulevard, when is the likely timeframe or date of the TownShip 9 Station grand opening and the return of bus service to on Route 11 - "Truxel"?
Reply: The current plan is to open the station in April. The Township 9 contractor is moving along well and should be able to meet this schedule. Regarding the restoration of the 11 line to its previous alignment, that action is tied to the City of Sacramento's project to improve the Richards Blvd. ramp/intersection improvements at I-5. As an 11 line user myself, I am also looking forward to this restoration.
South Sacramento, CA:
I have look at the COA and recommendations of the routes. When are you planning to go to the public to address the changes? And do you have a date of those service changes?
Reply: Public outreach will conducted in February and March to receive public input on the draft TransiRenewal Plan. Today you can currently go to www.sacrt.com/transitrenewal to view a PowerPoint presentation on the draft as well as all other previously released documents.
If you would like to have an RT representative present the findings of the draft plan to your community organization, please contact Jo Noble, Senior Community and Government Affairs Officer at jnoble@sacrt.com. In addition, RT will also be scheduling a series of outreach events to be held at light rail stations and transit centers to review the information and receive comments.
When the TransitRenewal outreach is complete, RT staff will return to the RT Board of Directors to discuss recommendations for implementation and to request a public hearing. RT staff anticipates asking the Board for approval of the plan this spring.
elk grove, CA:
what is the timetable for phase 2 of "Green Line" Light Rail ??
Reply: We are hoping to open phase 1 (Green Line to the River District) this April. Phase 2 is in the early planning phase with a good deal more planning work to complete. The next phase of the Green Line is completely dependent on when funding will be available to build and operate this service. Extending this line to Natomas and the airport will require local voters to approve a significant increase in local funding to RT. Our current focus is moving into Final Design for the Blue Line to CRC, also known as South Line phase 2.
North Natomas, CA:
Last month I asked about RT taking over the Natomas flyer shuttle
My new question is, will the routes have their own route number and bus stop or will it maintain it's existing route designation and stop procedure
Reply: We will call the routes by their current names and assign route numbers. The route numbers will allow use of the real time bus locator and online trip planning. Initially, we will not have stops (using the current method where riders wave to the bus driver). Over time we will add stops as a way to speed service and have destinations for both the real time and trip planning systems. I think the route numbers are going to be in the 170s. We expect to begin operating this service in March.
Sacramento, CA:
How much money does the park and pay program bring in per month or year?
Reply: The Park-Pay-and-Ride program currently generates about $400,000 annually from the six lots.
Sacramento, CA:
I was just recently told about HR 3200, a bill co-sponsored by Congresswoman Doris Matsui. I would like to know your opinion of this bill allowing public transit entities to use capital improvement money for operating expenses. If you are in favor of this bill I encourage people to call her office and let her staff know that they support the bill.
Reply: RT has gone on record supporting greater flexibility in the use of federal formula capital improvement money for operating purposes. In the past, we have supported other bills that would have allowed RT to use our federal funds for operating purposes. We continue to advocate greater funding flexibility. We also continue to advocate for increased funding and a long term commitment.
Sacramento, CA:
What are the main obstacles that stand in the way of opening the new Green Line?
Reply: The 7th & Richards/Township 9 Station will be complete this April. We plan to open as soon as the station is ready.
South Sacramento, CA:
On the COA also. I feel that there are certain changes that can be made. I'm concerned about Route 5. There are students at Florin High that have minimum days and get off at 12:50. But on most days, they get off at 3:25. If you are planning to use Route 5 as a peak only route, what is the plan for students at Florin High who will need that route on a daily basis?
Reply: At this point the draft plan is still being finalized. There will be two months, or more, for the public to provide comments. With that being said, we are very familiar with the varying schedules of our local high schools and will take that into consideration.
Sacramento, CA:
Do you foresee any issues arising from Sacramento County planning to asses the accessibility of bus stops in its jurisdiction?
Reply: No. This is a very good thing for accessibility to bus stops. The County of Sacramento and RT recently partnered on a bus stop maintenance and improvements agreement. We will be working with the County on prioritizing the work as a result of the ongoing survey. Improvements have begun at a few locations. This work will continue for the next several years.
Sacramento, CA:
Will the new stations on the South Line open as Park Pay and Ride lots?
Reply: Our current plan is to charge for parking at the CRC and Franklin stations when they open. Our agreement with the Los Rios Community College District requires that we charge the same cost as they charge to park on the campus. The RT Board of Directors must approve adding a parking charge to the Franklin Station. The entire line is scheduled to open in June 2015.
Sacramento, CA:
How much does it cost to maintain the parking lots?
Reply: This cost to maintain and repair all of RT's park-and-ride lots is in excess of $4,000,000 annually. This cost includes all of our cleaning, repairs, landscape maintenance, repainting, and upgrades.
Sacramento, CA:
Has the new 8th and H station been seeing decent ridership numbers?
Reply: We just started collecting the ridership data. At this point we do not have data available. However, we are scheduled to begin reporting this information to our Board in March.
Comments from Mike Wiley:
Thank you for participating in today's chat. Our next session will be held on Friday, March 2.
