SacRT Begins Operating Elk Grove Bus Service in July
SacRT Board of Directors and Elk Grove City Council Approved Service Contract
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is excited to announce a new partnership with the City of Elk Grove to operate their e-tran and e-van bus services beginning July 1, 2019.
On March 13, the Elk Grove City Council unanimously approved the service contract, which includes operating e-tran bus service, e-van local paratransit service and supporting transit maintenance functions. The contract establishes a five-year term, for a total value of approximately $36 million. If SacRT’s performance for the first year exceeds the City’s previous
transit contractor, the City and SacRT will commence annexation negotiations no later than June 30, 2020.
The addition of Elk Grove into the larger SacRT network allows for seamless connectivity for customers and better transit services for Elk Grove residents.
“We fully understand the importance of the e-tran commuter bus service that connects Elk Grove residents to their jobs downtown, and we will continue this service as well as making improvements to current services,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “Our top priority is safety and cleanliness on all of our vehicles, including e-tran buses, so riders will have a great experience riding with us.”
Transfers to the SacRT network will be free for e-tran bus riders using the Connect Card or ZipPass mobile app. SacRT will preserve the legacy of e-tran by continuing the branding and operation of its current bus service without any route changes. All qualified e-tran employees who would like to continue serving the City of Elk Grove, will be offered similar positions within
SacRT during the transition. SacRT has authorized 98 new positions for e-tran service.
“SacRT has made tremendous strides over the last few years and that has been recognized by the City of Elk Grove entrusting the District to operate their bus service to improve transit in the region,” said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “Working together will make the region more unified and competitive for grant funding, which will elevate the entire Sacramento region.”
A unified regional transit system will directly benefit Elk Grove, which may include additional funding for a potential light rail extension into Elk Grove in the future.
“The City of Elk Grove looks forward to working collaboratively with SacRT to provide our residents with greater service and enhance access to regional transit opportunities,” said Elk Grove Vice Mayor and SacRT Board Member Pat Hume.
SacRT recently completed the annexation of transit services for the cities of Citrus Heights and Folsom. With Elk Grove service starting in July 2019, this is another great step towards building the kind of robust transit system needed to attract new businesses and associated workforce, achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals, and support land use plans in the greater Sacramento region.