Replacement of the SacRT light rail cars, which have high floors and steep steps, with low-floor/level-boarding cars has been a priority for STAR and many other transit supporters. We have a previous post, Low floor light rail cars, but until recently we didn’t have any information on how much it would cost and when it might happen. One of the few features of the failed Measure B was that it did include some funding for replacement. $392M for the category “Vehicle Replacement, Operations, Maintenance & Security” didn’t make clear how much might go to replacement, but at least there was a commitment to invest matching funds for grant applications.

As a result of a community meeting with Henry Li last week, organized by Glenda Marsh and 350Sacramento, we now have more information. Mark Lonergan, Chief Operating Officer, supplied two documents, Light Rail Fleet Replacement and Light Rail Fleet Roster January 2016 which will be of particular interest to light rail riders and supporters.

The cost summary is:

• Siemens Vehicle replacement $162 million
• station modifications $50 million
• CAF mid-life overhaul at $40 million
• total unfunded capital needs $252 million

However, we strongly recommend reading the one-page document to better understand what these numbers mean and their critical importance. At the moment, all of these costs are unfunded, but SacRT is working on solutions.

• SacRT