The City of Sacramento Transportation & Climate Workshop was held as part of the regular city council meeting on February 8, 2022. One of the big ideas of the city’s proposed initiative is bus lanes on Stockton Blvd, as previously mentioned in STAR letter on Sac City Transportation & Climate Workshop.
The bus facility on Stockton Blvd, serving SacRT route 51, was not a significant topic in the workshop, though several people did mention it favorably. Dan spoke on behalf of STAR to support this idea.
Henry Li was one of the invited speakers for the workshop. He spoke extensively on the need for funding, but unfortunately hardly mentioned the Stockton Blvd idea. He spoke about big projects: light rail car replacement, light rail extension to the airport, and light rail extension to Elk Grove. In particular, he touted light rail to the airport. STAR is completely in favor of the light rail car replacement, and hopes that it can be accelerated with additional federal and state funding. However, STAR is also on record as opposing any extension of the light rail system until SacRT undertakes a study of all potential light rail extensions to determine which have the highest benefit to ridership and service to low income communities. The map also shows a continuation of low frequency (60+ min) service for Elk Grove and Folsom. Is this really reflective of the needs of these two cities?
He also praised the microtransit (SmaRT Ride) program. Though the service is definitely popular with those that use it, SacRT has not yet provided an analysis of how this service, which costs far more per rider than fixed route service, supports the overall goals of a great transit system, while not detracting from fixed route service.
STAR had hoped to hear from SacRT about the ways in which the city and SacRT can work collaboratively to improve transit service throughout the city, with a deserved focus on Bus Rapid Transit for Stockton Blvd. Unfortunately, that was missing.
Sacramento Transit Advocates and Riders (STAR) 