Sacramento Regional Transit Board Meeting - July 27, 2026

The Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors met on July 27, 2026, with a quorum of seven votes. The meeting covered consent calendar approvals, customer service responses, a strategic plan update, and the general manager's report. Directors and public commenters addressed topics including fare enforcement, the transit measure signature failure, new rail stations, and financial sustainability.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar (items 2.1–2.14) was approved unanimously. A correction to item 2.4 (FY2027 capital budget) was read: the total amended capital budget amount is $1,975,122,673, and Exhibit A should read FY27 instead of FY26.
• Director Dickinson supported item 2.4 but expressed regret that a federal grant condition forced switching from hydrogen to compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, noting it was not locally initiated. He also supported item 2.11 (bus rapid transit to airport) but cautioned it should not detract from the ultimate goal of light rail to the airport.
• Director Cerna requested a report on the current status of IODs (Interim Operating Agreements) along the proposed Green Line light rail right-of-way, noting some IODs are nearing expiration. The general manager agreed to bring a presentation.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jean Lizzano (in person) supported the Via Transportation contract (item 2.6) and requested drivers be fluent in English, use Google Maps, and involve disabled riders in training.
• Helen O'Connell (in person) commented on items 2.11 and 2.12: she favored BRT over light rail for airport service and criticized SACRT's response to a grand jury report on disabled riders, urging board members to read the 23-page report.
• Rick Hodgkin (Zoom) supported Via and zero-emission buses, opposed following the federal administration's anti-EV agenda, and asked for a five-minute wait policy for Via drivers. He also expressed concern about the grand jury report and requested history.
• Dan Allison (in person) noted that a physical smart card option for Transit Connect was absent from earlier planning and questioned the balance between enforcement and customer service in the transit ambassador program.
• Margie Donovan (in person) praised SACRT Go drivers Jackie and Willie for going above and beyond during her medical treatment, and noted that only 80–90 of the budgeted 120 drivers are active on any given day.
• Robert Copeland (in person) argued that the half-cent sales tax measure should fund housing, not transportation.
• Austin Kelly (in person) criticized SACRT for allowing personal injury lawyers to advertise on buses, proposing the advertising contract exclude community-harming businesses.
• Wendy Bogdan (Zoom), president of CK McClatchy High PTSA, requested renewed meetings with staff to discuss ridership, improvements to the bus stop in front of McClatchy, and continuation of the ride-free program.
• Nate Dobernick (Zoom), representing McClatchy PTSA, emphasized the importance of the Blue Line to the school and the ride-free program for student attendance and transit habits.

Discussion Items

• Customer Service Response to Feedback and Comments (Item 3.1): Lisa Heinz, Senior VP of Security, Safety, and Customer Satisfaction, presented responses to public comments. Key points: the Dos Rios project did not require multiple environmental studies; Route 33 elimination is offset by a new light rail station with better service; fare enforcement is balanced with customer service, with over 1,700 warnings issued recently; Transit Connect will offer smart cards and tap-to-ride options; bus bridge reliability is being improved; and the Blue Line temporary disruption (July 27–Aug 15) will upgrade platforms for new Siemens S700 trains. Directors questioned about tap readers on trains (safety and Wi-Fi issues were cited), and Director Rodriguez suggested ambassadors carry mobile tap devices.
• Draft Strategic Plan 2026–2030 (Item 5.1): Shelly Valentin, Deputy GM, presented a framework based on the current plan's success. The plan retains four pillars: customer satisfaction, operational excellence, community value, and employee engagement. New elements include a Power BI performance dashboard. Directors raised concerns: Director Rodriguez asked for explicit financial health metrics; Director Cerna emphasized the need to address financial sustainability after the transit measure failure; Director Dickinson called for including first/last mile, equity, service frequency, and fair box recovery as strategic priorities. Staff will incorporate feedback and return for approval at the next meeting.
• General Manager's Report (Item 6.1): GM Henry Li reported on several items: the capital budget adjustment (federal grant forced switch from hydrogen to CNG buses to avoid losing $77 million); the failure of the transit measure (Sacramento Safe Streets and Affordable Transit Measure 2026) to qualify for the ballot due to insufficient valid signatures; passage of AB 1625 increasing board compensation to $200 per meeting (max three meetings per month); new light rail station openings (Dos Rios in late August, Railyards in fall); and a presentation to Siemen's executives. Directors commented on heat-related signal malfunctions on the Gold Line and requested better communication, and Director Cerna followed up on a bus shelter request.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• The board directed staff to study IODs for the Green Line and report back.
• Staff will revise the strategic plan based on director feedback on financial stability, equity, frequency, and first/last mile, and bring it for approval at the next meeting.
• GM Li committed to improving communication on service disruptions, particularly bus bridges and signal issues on the Gold Line.
• The next board meeting is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 4 p.m.