SacRT Offers Free Rides to COVID-19 Vaccine Appointments

February 23, 2021 SacRT News

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) will begin offering free transit rides to everyone who needs to get to a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment location beginning on Monday, March 1, 2021. The free rides include all vaccination sites in Sacramento County within SacRT’s service area, including hospitals, pharmacies, and other immunization locations.

To ride free, customers need to show a COVID-19 vaccine appointment confirmation in the form of an email, text or vaccine card, which will serve as valid fare only on the date noted in the appointment confirmation to ride SacRT’s fixed-route bus, light rail, Folsom Stage Line, SmaRT Ride or SacRT GO services. When boarding a bus, show the operator either a printout or screenshot on a smartphone, or have ready to show a fare inspector when riding light rail.

“From the start of the pandemic, SacRT’s number one priority has been ensuring the safety and well-being of its employees, customers, and community members,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “By providing free rides to and from COVID-19 vaccination centers, we are helping the Sacramento region recover from this crisis by continuing to slow the spread of the virus.”

“SacRT has been a lifeline for the Sacramento region during the COVID-19 pandemic, by offering free rides to vaccination centers is just another way they are showing their commitment to keeping the Sacramento region moving forward,” said SacRT Board Chair and City of Citrus Heights Mayor Steve Miller.

“Access to vaccinations is a top priority for Sacramento County Public Health. We do not want transportation to vaccination sites to be a barrier for anyone that wants to receive a vaccine,” said Sacramento County Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye. “This partnership with SacRT is critical to serving people that may not otherwise be able to access vaccination locations – including people with physical disabilities. We’re grateful for their hard work and commitment to serving our community.”

Customers can use the SacRT online trip planner to assist with navigating to a vaccine location or call SacRT customer service at 916-321-BUSS (2877). To request a ride on SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit service, download the free SacRT SmaRT Ride app (App Store or Google Play) or call 916-321-BUSS (2877) for assistance. Learn more about SmaRT Ride at sacrt.com/smartride.

Sacramento County hosted COVID-19 vaccination sites are currently open for people in all tiers of Phase 1a and some populations in Tier 1 of Phase 1b, including adults 65 and older, health care workers, law enforcement and educators.

For more information on vaccinations, eligibility and appointments, visit Sacramento County’s Coronavirus vaccine website. For those who wish to be notified when they become eligible for the vaccine and schedule their appointment, you can sign up on state’s website My Turn.

SacRT requires anyone waiting at a station or transit center, riding transit, or visiting the SacRT Customer Service and Sales Center located at 1225 R Street, to wear a mask. Visit sacrt.com/covid19 for more on our COVID-19 precautions.

For more information on the free rides to vaccine locations program, visit sacrt.com/vaccines.