Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - June 8, 2026

The Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors met on June 8, 2026, with a quorum of nine votes. The meeting covered consent calendar items, a customer service update, the adoption of the FY2027 budgets, public comments on various topics, and the general manager's report. Key decisions included approval of the consent calendar, adoption of the FY2027 budgets, and approval of the general manager's performance evaluation. Several public comments raised concerns about fare enforcement, the phase-out of physical Connect Cards, shopping cart policies, and bus service reliability.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2.12 (Resolution 2026-06076): Approved a Title VI service equity analysis and service changes to eliminate Route 33 and create Route 133, effective August 2026. Director Dickinson led a discussion on how the route elimination dovetails with the opening of the Dos Rios Light Rail Station. Staff explained that Route 33 was largely duplicative of the new station and that the new light rail will provide later evening, weekend, and holiday service not previously offered. The walk distance for some residents at the farthest point was approximately 1,000 feet. One morning trip will be preserved as Route 133 to serve the Union Gospel Mission. Written comment from Barbara Stanton (Ridership for the Masses) opposed the elimination. Public commenters Helen O'Connell and Rick Hodgkins expressed concerns about accessibility for underserved populations and the limited survey response.
• Item 2.13 (supplemental paratransit service) was pulled from the agenda and will be brought back at a later date.
• The remaining consent calendar items (2.1–2.18, minus 2.13) were approved unanimously by voice vote.

Customer Service Response to Feedback and Comments

• Staff presented responses to public comments, including updates on digital signage standardization, traffic congestion mitigation, the CEO's authority for the midtown station project, Swanston station development, the SACRT Go open house, bike/wheelchair space policies, and the transition from Sacramento Police to Sacramento Sheriff's Department for security (since January 11, 2026). The Sheriff's Department has made approximately 200 arrests and resolved 29 investigations. Transit ambassador hiring: 700 applications, 70 interviewed, 38 selected, with 45 current ambassadors and a goal to hire 50–60. The next transit academy begins July 16, 2026.
• Public commenter Helen O'Connell expressed appreciation that the RT Go supplementary service procurement was being brought back to the Mobility Advisory Council for further discussion.

Public Hearing and Adoption of FY2027 Operating and Capital Budgets

• Director Dickinson inquired about FY2026 projected actuals; staff stated both revenues and expenditures are within 1% of budget, with additional revenues covering any overs.
• Public comments: Troy Wilkinson (Strong Sac Town) questioned the cost of fare enforcement versus revenue, noting fare collection is projected to be 7.2% of FY2027 revenues. Rick Hodgkins reiterated that Sacramento County residents resist funding increases until the homeless issue is addressed.
• The board closed the public hearing and adopted the budgets (motion and second, voice vote approved).

Public Addresses on Matters Not on the Agenda

Multiple speakers addressed the board on various concerns:

• Helen O'Connell: Urged strict adherence to procedures and policies, criticizing emergency declarations and lack of oversight.
• Maddie Parfitt: Described being denied boarding with a full shopping cart on a bus; called for rescinding the rule requiring carts to be empty and folded, arguing it discriminates against seniors and people with disabilities.
• Austin Kelly: Criticized no-exception fare enforcement, citing a $157 citation and potential misdemeanor penalties; requested suspension of enforcement until information is transparent and ambassadors focus on compassion.
• Kate Crum: Opposed discontinuing the physical Connect Card, citing reliance on phones (battery death, distraction) and mental health benefits of phone-free days; suggested adding card readers on trains instead.
• Rick Hodgkins: Supported keeping the physical Connect Card, citing theft risk with phones; raised concerns about the empty retail space at Mather Field Light Rail Station.
• Dan Allison: Stated fare enforcement-first policy is creating tension; urged suspension of enforcement until policies are studied; noted that other transit systems allow cash loading onto bank cards.
• Alisa Lee (50 Corridor Transportation Management Association): Reported that non-functioning card readers are discouraging riders; transit ambassadors lack guidance when cards fail; money for fares is not being collected.
• Jeffrey Tardiya: Called for a committee to review outdated policies and develop a revenue service effective for public transportation.
• Troy Wilkinson: Shared a personal experience of receiving a $157 citation for fare evasion due to lack of phone data; noted absence of kiosks at some stations; requested suspension of no-exception enforcement until payment options are universally available.

General Manager's Report

General Manager Henry Lee provided updates:

• Fare Payment Transition: Acknowledged challenges with the new Transit Connect app; will consider keeping a physical card option after hearing public input.
• Enforcement: Will review zero-tolerance policy to balance compassion and accountability, especially regarding shopping carts for vulnerable seniors.
• Board Recognition: Congratulated board members Mapus, Maple, Jennings, Kennedy, and Hill on their re-election.
• Library Modernization Project: A $1 billion investment; a $450 million order placed with Siemens; station platforms under construction on the Blue Line; shuttle buses will operate June 17–20 at Florin and CRC stations.
• Arden Del Paso Park and Ride: Reopened; a 124-unit affordable housing complex (RIVAL) under construction with a $43 million grant.
• Grants: Submitted a $300 million affordable housing application; received a $3.76 million grant for SACRT Flex microtransit expansion; weekday service begins one hour earlier (6 a.m.) and Saturday service launched (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) starting July 1, 2026.
• Federal Funding: Requests for $500,000 (Blue Line safety improvements, Congresswoman Matsui), $850,000 (infrastructure, Congressman Bera), and $10 million (Gold Line enhancement, Senator Schiff).
• ZipPass: Extended retirement date to June 30, 2026; phase two of Transit Connect will include contactless tap validation and fare capping.
• Public commenter Helen O'Connell raised concerns about bus bridge service during disruptions, citing 27 cancellations on one route in a day, leading to overcrowding and ADA access issues.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent calendar (Items 2.1–2.18, minus 2.13) by voice vote without opposition.
• Adopted FY2027 operating and capital budgets (Resolution 2026-06086) after public hearing, by voice vote.
• Approved Resolution 2026-06087 (fiscal year 2026 annual performance evaluation for General Manager Henry Lee and seventh amendment to his contract) by voice vote.
• Directed staff to examine policies on fare enforcement, shopping carts, physical Connect Card retention, and bus bridge performance.
• Next regular board meeting scheduled for July 27, 2026, at 4 p.m.
• Closed session held on existing litigation; no report out.