evolving What We Want

star-logoThe STAR Action Team, a group of about 10 members who form the core of STAR, met recently to update our What We Want document. This document summarizes our objectives for transit in our region. It is not just about SacRT, but about transit in a more general sense. This document is also a discussion starting point for our conversations with other transit supporters, and with SacRT. If you compare our list to what was offered in the failed Measure B, you will see how far away Measure B, or a “Son of Measure B” is from contributing to the vision of an effective and equitable transit system. The text of the document is below, and also available as a pdf.

Overarching goal: Achieve the highest ridership possible within the region for a given budget.

Service

  1. Provide a core high frequency (15 minutes during 6AM to 8PM, at a minimum) network that links to light rail stations and reflects the needs of users.
  2. Provide high frequency service to the airport, 5AM to midnight, operated by SacRT and/or Yolobus.
  3. Replace all light rail vehicles with low floor vehicles and modify all stations to accommodate low floor vehicles, within five years.
  4. Implement bus rapid transit (BRT) on at least one major north-south route to fill significant connectivity gaps. An example is Watt Avenue, connecting Gold Line and Green Line.
  5. Integrate with bike storage (on-demand, not rental lockers) and bike share to meet first/last mile needs.
  6. Ensure system will be safe, with clean stations, lighting, fare inspection, security staffing at stations at night.
  7. Connections between light rail and major bus routes, and within major bus routes, will be timed for easy transfer, both within and outside SacRT.

Fares

  1. The region should identify a mechanism for providing discounts for low income riders.
  2. A functional fare system that offers a variety of payment and use mechanisms, and solves the issue for people without credit cards or bank accounts.
  3. Implement transfers between modes and agencies so that they are transparent to the rider. Transfers would be free or discounted.
  4. Implement distance-based fares for the light rail system, and express buses.

Planning

  1. Assess and revise the entire system based on current commute, ridership and connectivity needs.
  2. Complete a comprehensive re-visit of light rail extension options, so that all are considered at the same time, on the same criteria. Service to West Sacramento, Davis, and Roseville (all outside the county) should be considered. Ridership should be the primary though not only measure.
  3. Light rail will not be expanded at the expense of service.
  4. Explore options for paid-fare-only marking or gating at busy light rail stations.
  5. SacRT will work with local agencies to ensure that safe street crossings are available at or close to every bus stop.

Governance

  1. Citizen representation on the SacRT board, at least 20% of membership. Representation could be by appointment of citizens by member governments, or dedicated citizen positions, or an independently elected board. At least some board members should have expertise in transit.
  2. SacRT takes a major role in revisions of the MTP/SCS (SACOG Metropolitan Transportation Plan / Sustainable Communities Strategy).

Financial Support

  1. A minimum of one-half cent of sales tax dedicated to operations, routine maintenance, and vehicle replacement. This would not be used for construction, parking garage construction, or anything not directly related to keeping the system as it exists running in an efficient manner. Two-thirds of a new measure will go to transit operations, maintenance and vehicle replacement, for a total support of at least one-half cent.
  2. Some direct support of the transit system through property taxes as well as sales tax.

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