Next Stop: Using Funds Responsibly

What SacRT has done with what it has.

Responsible Stewardship Should be Visible

Public transit requires public investment. This makes SacRT responsible for showing where those resources go and what they produce.

SacRT works to make limited local resources go further by finding operational efficiencies, building partnerships, and competing for outside funding.

The result is investment that can be seen throughout the system, from new light rail vehicles and infrastructure improvements to safety, technology, affordable fares, and other projects designed to keep the region moving

Doing More With Available Resources

Responsible stewardship isn't about spending less. It's about finding ways to deliver more value with the resources available.

SacRT has pursued new operating models and partnerships that reduce costs while maintaining or improving service.

20% Lower Service Cost
SacRT’s bus and rail service costs are reported to be approximately 20% lower than California peers.
50% Lower Cost Per Trip
SacRT’s Via partnership reduced paratransit cost per trip by 50% while improving on-time performance.
$8.5M Saved Through Partnerships
SacRT reports that replacing SmaRT Ride with SacRT Flex through its Via partnership will save $8.5 million annually over 10 years.

Bringing Outside Dollars Back to Sacramento

Limited local resources haven't stopped SacRT from competing for state and federal investment.

Over the past eight years, SacRT has successfully competed for significant outside investment, helping fund projects that would be difficult to pay for with local resources alone.

These resources help Sacramento make major investments that would be difficult to fund with local dollars alone.

They are helping replace aging light rail vehicles, modernize stations and infrastructure, improve technology, and move major capital projects forward.

$1.4 BILLION
Secured through local, state, and federal funding partnerships over the past eight years.
$370 MILLION
In state and federal grants secured in a recent 12-month period.
GOOD GOVERNANCE AWARD — 2019
Sacramento Taxpayers Association recognition for outstanding stewardship of taxpayer funds.

Protecting What Sacramento Has Already Built

Stewardship isn't only about funding what's next. It's also about taking care of the investments the public has already made.

SacRT is continuing to invest in buses, rail, stations, fare technology, and infrastructure while maintaining existing vehicles, stations, and systems in a state of good repair.

That means maintaining infrastructure before it deteriorates, extending the useful life of public assets, and reducing the risk that deferred maintenance creates larger, more expensive problems later.

$2 Billion
In capital investments are currently underway for buses, rail, stations, fare technology, and infrastructure upgrades designed to serve the region for the next generation.

What this means for the Future

Responsible management can make limited resources go farther. It cannot eliminate the cost of operating, maintaining, and modernizing a transit system.

SacRT has demonstrated that it can find efficiencies, compete successfully for outside investment, and turn those resources into improvements throughout the system.

But competitive grants are not a predictable source of funding for everything it takes to operate and maintain transit year after year.

The challenge is maintaining the investments Sacramento has already made while continuing to improve safety, maintain aging buses and trains, modernize critical infrastructure, and provide reliable service.

Responsible stewardship helps SacRT make the most of every available dollar. Sustainable funding determines how much progress the region can maintain and make in the years ahead.