Sacramento Regional Transit District Board Meeting - November 19, 2019

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors met on November 19, 2019, to consider several agenda items, including service changes for April 2020, the new airport bus service (Route 142), and the proposed Causeway Connection intercity bus service with UC Davis and Yolo County. The meeting included extensive public comment, particularly from UC Davis shuttle riders opposing the current Causeway Connection proposal, and deliberations that resulted in a decision to defer final action on the Causeway Connection until the December 9, 2019 meeting. The board also approved consent items and the Title VI service change equity analysis for April 2020.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar (Items 1-12) was approved with the exception of Items 4, 5, and 12, which were considered separately.
• Item 4 - Tree mitigation, bus stop demolition, and landscape restoration contract: Awarded to Swire Stock Enterprises (doing business as Pro Builders). Public comment raised concerns about the demolition of bus stops rather than relocating them.
• Item 5 - Sole source procurement for calf couplers with Voith Turbo: Approved. Public comment expressed concern about the new couplers possibly not fitting, but staff assured compatibility.
• Item 12 - Delegation of authority for ADA paratransit procurement: Approved. Public comment raised concerns about the speed of bringing ADA service in-house, particularly the ability to handle scheduling.
• All consent items passed at 91 votes (9 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 absent).

Public Comments & Testimony (Item 13: April 2020 Service Changes)

• Helen O'Connell (MAC board member) expressed that she was not informed about the new airport bus and requested that such new services be brought to the MAC board for input before implementation.
• Mike Barnbaum praised the proposed Route 142 airport bus as an excellent start but recommended considering a similar split for Route 13 at Arden Del Paso to provide airport connections from North and South Natomas, aligned with a concept endorsed by Councilmember Angelique Ashby.
• Jeffrey Tardiya raised concerns about insufficient bus stop capacity on L Street, particularly at 14th and L, 11th, and 9th streets, which he said could cause problems with the new Route 142 service.
• Rosalie Rashid expressed strong dissatisfaction with changes to Route 30, stating they had disrupted her life and the lives of other seniors; she wanted more notice and better communication.
• Glenda Marsh spoke in support of the airport bus and expanded bus service between Davis and Sacramento, announcing the formation of the Sacramento Metro Advocates for Rail and Transit coalition.
• Bonnie Lindeman presented a petition of 25 signatures objecting to the loss of fixed routes at Sunrise Mall Transit Center, stated that no equity analysis or public meetings were held for districts 3 and 4, and argued that microtransit is not a substitute for fixed route service for lower-income residents.

Discussion Items (Item 13: April 2020 Service Changes)

• Laura Hammond introduced the item, highlighting the new airport bus service (Route 142) funded by SACOG's Green Region program, with an annual cost of $1.5 million. The service would start January 6, 2020, using existing CNG buses until electric buses and chargers are ready.
• James Drake (Principal Planner) presented details: Route 142 would run hourly with additional peak-hour trips (20-minute headways at peak), complementing YOLO Bus's Route 42A/B. Other April changes were cleanup items from SacRT Forward, intended to be cost-neutral.
• Board members discussed travel time reliability, bus stop capacity, and the need for further public outreach.
• The item was approved at 91 votes.

Discussion Items (Item 14: Causeway Connection Intercity Bus)

• The proposal included four resolutions: Title VI equity analysis, conditional service changes, delegation to approve an MOU with Yolo County Transportation District and UC Davis, and conditional recognition of UC Davis student IDs for fare equity.
• Laura Hammond introduced the project, highlighting partnerships with UC Davis, Yolo County, Electrify America, and the City of Sacramento.
• James Drake described the service: three stops in Davis and five in Sacramento, with varying stopping patterns; three trips per hour during peak times (33-seat transit buses) versus the current once-hourly shuttle with 50+ seat coaches. The service would include an East Davis stop at Mace Park & Ride and downtown Sacramento stops, but was revised to maintain express options due to public feedback.
• Ridership data: Current shuttle has ~380 riders/day, about 50-50 between Davis and Sacramento. Peak-hour trips average 23-28 riders. The new service would offer 99 seats per hour during peak, but bike capacity would drop from 9 to 3 per bus.
• Public comments (over 20 speakers) predominantly opposed the current proposal, with many current riders urging delay or changes:
  • Chris Doherty (SACOG) supported the project as a funding partner.
  • Julia Burroughs (Mayor Steinberg's office) supported the project, citing the $44 million investment from Electrify America, the climate commission goals, and the potential for greenhouse gas reduction.
  • Matt Dulcich (UC Davis) supported the project, acknowledging the late rider engagement (October-November) but stating that substantial revisions were made based on feedback.
  • Current riders (including Jason Moore, Yemi Oloo, Alyssa Magorian, Amy Fletcher, Lisa Rosenthal, Glenda Marsh, Rose Cabral, Rachel, Alana Furl, David Doty, Mike Tentis, Michael Delgado, and others) raised concerns: lack of data, late notification, bike capacity reduction, travel time increases, extra stops, safety (no seat belts), cost, and lack of meaningful engagement. Many requested a delay to collect data and improve the plan.
  • Mike Barnbaum offered a motion with parameters for peak-hour express service, a limited downtown stop, and stakeholder collaboration.
• Board discussion: Members expressed support for the concept but recognized the need for better data and engagement. Director Natoli questioned whether delaying to June was feasible; Director Harris stressed the need for actual travel time data and bike capacity improvements; Director Hume moved to defer to June; Vice Chair Hansen suggested deferring all decisions to December 9 for more data and stakeholder meetings.
• Vote on substitute motion: A substitute motion (by Director Hansen or others) to defer all decisions to December 9, 2019, rather than deciding on June, passed on a roll call vote. Director Hume voted against the substitute, preferring June. The board will revisit the Causeway Connection on December 9, 2019.

Key Outcomes

• Approved the consent calendar with items 4, 5, and 12, all at 91 votes.
• Approved the April 2020 service changes, including the new Route 142 airport bus (scheduled to start January 6, 2020), at 91 votes.
• On the Causeway Connection, the board deferred final decisions on the four resolutions to its December 9, 2019 meeting, allowing staff to gather more data, engage with current riders, and address concerns raised by board members and the public. The board will consider all options, including implementation date (April vs. June 2020), at that meeting.