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RT Press Release
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RT Seeking Public Comments on Proposed January 2017 Service Changes
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CONTACT:
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Alane Masui
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Monday, May 16, 2016
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PHONE:
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916-556-0121
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) is currently developing a plan for potential service changes effective January 1, 2017, to streamline bus and light rail service in order to improve efficiency.
RT’s Preliminary Fiscal Year 2017 Operating and Capital Budget requires that RT achieve $1 million in net savings from service changes to balance the budget. With a January 2017 service change implementation date, the net savings must be achieved in the remaining six months of FY 2017.
A candidate list of potential service changes – not all of which will be necessary to achieve the desired level of savings – has been released for a 30-day public review period and is available online at sacrt.com until Monday, June 13. The service changes may include, but are not limited to, the reduction, realignment or discontinuation of the following routes: Green Line, 2, 5, 6, 19, 21, 24, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 47, 54, 62, 65, 74, 75, 80, 85, 95, Citrus Heights City Ride and Granite Park Shuttle.
RT staff will present the candidate list to the RT board of directors on Monday, May 23. Following public input and continued analysis, RT staff will present a recommendation to the RT board of directors for approval on Monday, June 27. The RT board meetings will be held in the RT Auditorium at 1400 29th Street (at N Street) at 5:30 p.m.
The public is encouraged to provide feedback during the 30-day public review period. RT will hold five open houses to discuss proposed service changes and receive public comments.
Open Houses:
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
RT Auditorium
1400 29th Street, Sacramento
Accessible by light rail to the 29th Street Station, and Routes 30, 38, 67 and 68
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mills Building - Mather Field/Mills Station
2900 Mather Field Road, Rancho Cordova
Accessible by light rail to the Mather Field/Mills Station, and Routes 21, 28, 72, 74 and 75
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Citrus Heights Community Center
6300 Fountain Square Drive, Citrus Heights
Accessible by Routes 1, 23 and 95
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center
2450 Meadowview Road, Sacramento
Accessible by Routes 47 and 56
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tsakapolous Library Galleria
828 I Street, Sacramento
Accessible by light rail to the 8th & K Station, 8th & H/County Center Station and St. Rose of Lima Park (9th & K) Station, and Routes 2, 6, 11, 15, 30, 34, 38, 51, 62, 86 and 88
To request language interpretation services, call 916-557-4545 no later than three business days in advance of the open house.
The public can also provide comments via email, mail or phone: By email – customeradvocacy@sacrt.com; by mail – Customer Advocacy Department, Sacramento Regional Transit District, P.O. Box 2110, Sacramento, CA 95812-2110; by phone (comments and language assistance) – 916-557-4545.
While inflation has increased over the years, RT has kept operating and maintenance costs below the rate of inflation. Lower gas prices have resulted in RT receiving less money from a state tax on diesel fuels dedicated to fund public transit operations. In addition, RT receives one-sixth of a cent in funding from local taxes, while other large California transit agencies receive a half-cent, full-cent or more to fund their transit operations.
In November 2015, the RT board of directors adopted four fiscal policies focused on ensuring that RT remains financially sustainable. The Comprehensive Reserve Policy formalizes a fiscally responsible strategy for establishing, maintaining, and building reserves to address RT’s needs. The Fiscal Sustainability Policy establishes sustainability and cost control as clear and strategic priorities for RT. The Farebox Recovery Policy establishes guidelines for determining and realizing the role of fares in meeting RT’s financial obligations. The Fare Change Policy establishes guidelines for planning and implementing fare changes.
RT is committed to these policies to improve the quality of service and to create a better passenger experience. RT is working to upgrade light rail stations; increase fare inspection by hiring up to 30 transit agents (fare checkers); improve station, bus stop and vehicle cleanliness through community partnerships and additional cleaning staff; and offer new technology for customer convenience.
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