Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors Meeting - September 28, 2026

The Sacramento Regional Transit Board of Directors met on September 28, 2026, with Chair Sing Allen presiding. Nine directors were present (Brewer, Budge, Dickinson, Hume, Jennings, Kennedy, Rorba, Schaefer, and Sing Allen) constituting a quorum. Directors Maple and Cerna were marked absent on the roll call, though Director Cerna later participated via comments. The meeting covered consent calendar approvals, customer service updates, the Green Line to Airport corridor strategy, and public concerns on various operational issues.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar included seven items. A correction was noted for Item 2.3 (on-call alternator rebuild services contract with Kirk's Automotive), adding a condition for a compliant drug and alcohol testing program. The protest from Romain was not continued.
• Director Kennedy requested a future board report on how security operations (transit ambassadors, transit officers, sheriff's contract) interact and function together.
• Public comments on consent items: Helen O'Connell expressed concerns about inadequate training on ADA paratransit scheduling software (Item 2.2) and urged full accessibility compliance for real-time information systems (Item 2.4). LR Roberts noted difficulty accessing the agenda online and questioned funding apportionment details on Item 2.6. Rick Hodgkins echoed those concerns and asked about bringing Blue Knight security officers in-house. Margie Donovan urged caution on software updates given past issues.
• The consent calendar was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Numerous members of the public provided comments throughout the meeting. Key positions included:
  • Dan Allison (individual) criticized the late posting of staff presentations and called for better transparency; he noted that AC Transit buses have 3–5 wheelchair slots, contradicting staff claims of space constraints.
  • Helen O'Connell (individual) supported split seating on new buses for carts/strollers and expressed preference for restoring Route 51E.
  • Troy Wilkinson (Strong Sac Town) echoed the need for earlier presentation posting, supported safe routes to transit funding, and questioned whether zero-tolerance fare enforcement truly prevents discrimination.
  • Ferramars Nababi (individual) urged SACRT to give public notice of fare policy changes and noted he witnessed a citation issued to an African-American woman, raising disparate impact concerns.
  • Rick Hodgkins (individual) discussed wheelchair capacity issues and asked if a cited passenger was a client of Alta California Regional Center.
• During public comments on matters not on the agenda:
  • George Kahn (individual, bus rider) complained about late buses, lack of bus stop shelters, and driver retention; suggested better pay.
  • Michael Bevins (individual) proposed a clean-slate route redesign and a rim route connecting suburbs, citing service cut fears.
  • Dan Allison argued that customer satisfaction should be separated from safety and security due to the zero-tolerance policy rollout.
  • Crystal McGee Lee (ATU Local 256) and Jessica Johnson (employee) reported alleged harassment and hostile treatment of a nursing mother by a SACRT Go transportation superintendent, urging board attention.
  • Helen O'Connell commended the Mobility Advisory Council's new role in reviewing contracts and policies early.
  • Miguel Pinot (individual, blind) advocated for better pay and pensions for SACRT Go drivers to retain staff.
  • Ferramars Nababi supported lactation rights and suggested using the voice-of-god announcement system for delay notifications; he also noted increased one-car trains on the Blue Line.
  • Rick Hodgkins requested the Zoom link be included in meeting emails and supported equal pensions for SACRT Go drivers.

Discussion Items

• Customer Service Response to Feedback and Comments (Lisa Heinz): Staff reported on improvements: two new bus stops (McClatchy High School, El Paso Road) will be installed in spring 2027; the stop at 7th and Q Street was reinstalled; first/last mile connectivity efforts include e-mobility devices and bike lockers; and a countywide safe routes to transit plan is underway. Staff addressed Stockton Boulevard BRT alignment feedback and Route 51 wheelchair capacity, noting federal standards limit fixed-route buses to two wheelchair positions but BRT articulated buses could expand capacity. Regarding fare enforcement, staff explained that zero-tolerance policy is legally advised to avoid discriminatory enforcement claims; recent enforcement led to a 3% ridership drop but a $15,000–$20,000 monthly increase in fare machine revenue. A citation incident involving a passenger with alleged mental disability was investigated and the transit ambassador was exonerated. Staff also outlined work on stroller/wagon/cart policy and noted the policy on bicycles/scooters is at an earlier stage.
• Director Questions: Director Cerna pressed for a timeline on a southeast corner bus shelter at El Centro Road; staff estimated early next year due to contractor lead times. Director Kennedy requested an explanation on late posting of presentations; staff committed to posting all presentations with the agenda at least 72 hours before meetings going forward.
• Green Line to Airport – Right-of-Way Retention and Corridor Implementation Strategy (Anthony Adams): The presentation outlined a phased approach: first, extend Route 11 to the airport with 15-minute frequency, signal priority, and partnerships (JIB, Metro Air Park, Caltrans I-5 managed lanes mitigation). Later phases would add exclusive bus lanes, a downtown terminal, and ultimately structures convertible to light rail. The full light rail extension is estimated at $2 billion with $500 million for a new bridge. Staff emphasized preserving right-of-way for future light rail using $14 million in transit impact fees and an FTA exemption.
• Director Discussion: Director Cerna highlighted the need to avoid sunk costs and asked about a flyover over SR 99; staff noted that is in later phases. Director Hume suggested exploring autonomous EVs, gondolas, or elevated systems as cheaper and more modern alternatives. Director Dickinson stressed sticking with the long-standing goal of light rail and expressed frustration with the pace; he questioned whether the proposed BRT routing via I-5 would be attractive compared to direct freeway service. Chair Sing Allen proposed a board workshop before the feasibility study to refine the approach and possibly redirect the $700,000 Caltrans grant toward right-of-way acquisition. Director Cerna noted ridership analysis would be critical to evaluating alternatives.
• Resolution 2026-09118: Approving temporary appointment of future retired annuitant Priscilla Vargas. Approved unanimously after brief public comment thanking Vargas and urging timely posting of the ADA manager position.
• General Manager's Report (Henry Li): Announced CFO Jason Johnson's retirement and promotion of Rondemer to CFO. Celebrated completion of the Dos Rail station in the River District and upcoming opening of a new station at the rail yards (green line) next month. Updated on new real-time information system contract with Clever Devices to improve arrival accuracy. Noted the Aftershock Music Festival (Oct 1–4) will offer free rides on SACRT for ticket holders, with shuttle buses and an estimated 160,000–200,000 attendees.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar approved unanimously.
• Resolution 2026-09118 approving temporary appointment of Priscilla Vargas was adopted unanimously.
• Board directed staff to schedule a workshop on the Green Line to Airport corridor before further work on the BRT feasibility study, to clarify alternatives and possibly redirect grant funds.
• Staff committed to posting all presentations and agenda materials at least 72 hours before future board meetings.
• Director Kennedy's request for a comprehensive report on security operations will be scheduled in the near future.
• Public feedback on lactation accommodation issues at SACRT Go will be addressed through the grievance process; the board acknowledged the concerns.
• The next regular board meeting was announced for October 26, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.