Measure 2022: transit projects

Here is the main transit section of the proposed transportation sales tax measure, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Maintenance, Operations, and Transformative System Improvements (25.11%). The Senior and Disabled Transportation Services (3.05%) section is separate.

25.11% of all annual net tax revenues generated by this Measure shall be allocated monthly to SacRT for the transit equivalent of “Fix It First” along with needed operational and other transformative improvements. For the first five years following implementation of this Measure, not less than one-third of these funds will be spent on operational needs to achieve a state of good repair of the transit system, bus and light rail vehicle replacement, safety, security, and continuation of the RydeFreeRT fare assistance program for students/youth in grades K-12 as well as fare assistance for senior, disabled, student, and low-income passengers. During this period, SacRT will only be eligible for this funding to the extent performance metrics in the following categories are met:

  1. Performance goals and industry standards for the percentage of buses and light rail vehicles that meet or exceed useful vehicle life or average vehicle age benchmarks;
  2. Performance goals and industry standards for miles between road calls, on-time performance, missed trips, and safety/security key performance indicators; and
  3. Performance goals and industry standards consistent with generally applicable state law, including the California Transportation Development Act (TDA) goals and requirements, as may be amended from time to time, which currently include meeting minimum farebox recovery ratio requirements and independent performance audits conducted every three years.

Other investments with these funds are intended to provide for improved access for the senior and disabled populations, fare subsidies for transit-dependent riders, financial support for expanded light rail operations, and the implementation of innovative services that will improve transit connections and encourage increased ridership. The following projects will be eligible for funding through this category:

  • Increase bus and rail service frequency, and span of coverage
  • Continuation of RydeFreeRT (Grades K-12)
  • State of good repair, bus replacement, safety, security, and facilities
  • Fare subsidy program for seniors and low-income passengers
  • Low-floor trains systemwide
  • Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades for bus and rail, including station upgrades to accommodate low-floor trains
  • Full zero emission replacement buses
  • Innovative transit-oriented development
  • On-demand transit such as SmaRT Ride type programs
  • Florin Station transit-oriented development partnership ($1.0 million)
  • SmaRT Ride Microtransit program

There is a concern about the wording. It mentions operational improvements, meaning investments that improve operations, but the implication is that it does mean operations expenses. There are specific exceptions: “continuation of the RydeFreeRT fare assistance program for students/youth in grades K-12 as well as fare assistance for senior, disabled, student, and low-income passengers”. And then the wording that implies that these other things can be funded if there is any money left over: “Other investments with these funds are intended to provide for improved access for the senior and disabled populations, fare subsidies for transit-dependent riders, financial support for expanded light rail operations, and the implementation of innovative services that will improve transit connections and encourage increased ridership.” One of the items in this list: “Increase bus and rail service frequency, and span of coverage”. Sounds pretty open-ended as to how this could be used, but coming after the earlier requirements and in a list of eleven items, the implication is that an increase in general operations is not part of the plan. Note that SmaRT Ride is listed twice. Clearly no one read the text and thought to edit.

There are basically two categories of transit expenditures: capital and operations. Capital includes buses and light rail cars, rail right-of-ways, bus stops and light rail stations, and maintenance for all of these. Operations means what it takes to run buses and trains, with the main expenses being operators and fuel for buses and electricity for light rail. SacRT is typical of transit agencies in that it emphasizes capital investments and de-emphasizes operations investments. Funding of transit should be both more flexible, and with more emphasis on operations.

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