SacRT was awarded $40.5M (million) under the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) for ‘Accelerating Rail Modernization and Expansion in the Capital Region’ plus another $23.8M in a future funding agreement. The project is described as “Expanded service to Folsom. Combines with previous TIRCP award to allow for 15 min service during weekdays, plus 3 peak express trains in the peak hour direction. Begins initial effort to replace the existing fleet with low-floor rail vehicles (LRVs). Includes funding 20 expansion and replacement vehicles and an investment in the highest priority platform conversions to allow efficient and accessible boarding to the new vehicles.” The project is 2018-2023, but it is not clear when the components will be implemented. We will keep you posted!

Another grant award that may include the SACOG region is to Capitol Corridor JPA, for ‘The Northern California Corridor Enhancement Program’, $80.3M, described as “Rail projects to increase ridership by moving Capitol Corridor trains to a faster Oakland to San Jose corridor, saving 10-15 minutes compared to 2018 travel times. Also funds statewide service and ticket integration, providing opportunities for riders on at least 10 rail and transit systems to plan travel and purchase tickets in a single, seamless transaction.” It is not known to us whether those ‘at least 10″ systems includes SacRT.

The San Joaquin JPA and San Joaquin RRC received a grant of for $426.7M for ‘Valley Rail’, described as “Creates new round trips between Fresno, Merced and Sacramento on the Amtrak San Joaquin line, initiates phased service expansion on the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) train service beginning with 1 train originating in Sacramento and connecting to San Jose during the peak period. Creates new ACE service out of Ceres with zero-emission feeder bus connections to Merced that will connect with San Jose and Sacramento. These services will connect Merced, Ceres, Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento, as well as between Fresno and Sacramento and allow for ridership growth. Includes numerous new stations, and improved connectivity to Bay Area and Bakersfield services.”

Shasta County RTP received a grant of $8.6M for ‘North State Intercity Bus System’ described as “New service between the North State and Sacramento, through intercity bus service using 7 battery electric coaches, with connections to the San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor train services, and the Sacramento international Airport. Funds the I-5 Backbone Service (Redding-Red Bluff-Williams-SMF Airport-Sac) and the North Valley Feeder (Red Bluff-Corning- Orland-Willows-Williams).”

Apart from rail, the grants are mostly for small purchases of battery electric buses. The program is funded with both SB-1 and Cap and Trade, so I think that only zero-emission, battery electric buses are eligible.

• SacRT