Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - October 16, 2024

The Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors held its meeting on October 16, 2024. Key topics included a major update on transitioning the Smart Ride microtransit service to an eligibility-based pilot serving transportation-disadvantaged populations, the general manager's report on various agency activities, and public comments on multiple issues.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2.1 through 2.6 were approved unanimously. A correction was made to Item 2.5 regarding the effective date of January 1, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jeffrey Tartaguia expressed support for the new Smart Ride proposal but urged outreach to the blind community and asked about continued service for the Dos Rios area until light rail arrives. He also requested weekend service.
• Michelle Baker, a regular Smart Ride user with autism, expressed sadness about the discontinuation of the current service and hoped the new service would be affordable and reliable. She shared her reliance on Smart Ride for errands and connections to light rail.
• Barbara Stanton, representing Ridership for the Masses, congratulated staff on revising the plan but sought clarification on the pre-registration requirement. She emphasized the need for extensive outreach about the new eligibility process.
• Michael Bevins criticized the poor planning that led to the financial unsustainability of Smart Ride. While he found the new voucher-based idea acceptable for half of current riders, he questioned how SacRT plans to fill the resulting gaps in bus deserts and suggested expanding existing services like SacRT Go and paratransit.
• Dan Ellison, speaking for Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders, appreciated the revised direction and supported the focus on vulnerable riders. He recommended that student eligibility be based on their parent/guardian's low-income status and suggested zones should be revisited later.
• Helen O'Connell was happy with the new plan but raised concerns about repurposing current Smart Ride drivers and the need to take care of employees.
• Miguel Pina criticized the time spent on the initial Uber proposal and expressed skepticism about VIA, citing long wait times in other cities. He argued SacRT should replace its own fleet rather than contract out.

Discussion Items

• Smart Ride Transition (Item 4.1): Anthony Adams, Director of Planning, presented the proposal to transition the Smart Ride microtransit service (operated since 2018, provided over 1.5 million trips, cost per rider $47) to a new Transportation Disadvantaged Shared Mobility Pilot. The new service will be operated by VIA (a provider used in West Sacramento for five years with a successful track record), focusing on low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, seniors, and students. It will be eligibility-based (self-verification through existing programs like CalFresh or SSI). All vehicles will be wheelchair accessible and allow service animals. The budget is $1.5 million/year ($800k from STA, $700k from a state grant), serving about 350 rides daily at an average cost of $16/rider and a farebox ratio of 16%. Service hours remain Monday-Friday 7am-7pm. The 18-month pilot will be reviewed every six months. Staff noted that this plan was developed in response to feedback on a previous Uber voucher proposal, which raised equity concerns and issues with service animals. Board members asked about service hour reductions, ridership by zone, outreach plans, and procurement flexibility. Directors expressed strong support for the revised approach, noting it addresses equity and financial sustainability.
• General Manager's Report (Item 8.1): General Manager Henry Lee reported on several activities:
  • All current Smart Ride drivers will be transitioned to drive full-size buses.
  • SacRT staff attended the APTA annual conference, highlighting best practices in hiring and safety.
  • A customer safety survey is underway; quarterly safety committee meetings are held.
  • Over 10,000 riders used SacRT for the Aftershock concert; the Golden Sky Music Festival is expected this week.
  • The new S700 low-floor trains are operational on Gold and Green Lines; Blue Line station construction is underway.
  • Director Helm led a delegation to China for a sister cities program.
  • A new battery factory opened in Sacramento; SacRT is transitioning to a zero-emission fleet.
  • A celebration for a $77 million federal grant to build a hydrogen maintenance facility at McClellan Park is scheduled for October 30.

Key Outcomes

• The board unanimously approved the consent calendar.
• The board received the information item on the Smart Ride transition as informational; no vote was taken, but board members expressed strong support for the new direction. Staff will proceed with public outreach, contract award, and registration beginning in November, with the pilot launching January 1, 2025.
• The board recessed into closed session for labor negotiations (Item 13.1) with the employee organization ATU 256 SacRT Go.

Note: Per provided instructions, the meeting date is October 16, 2024; the transcript indicates the meeting originally occurred on October 11, 2024.