Also Adding Electric Shuttles to Franklin – South Sacramento Zone

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is expanding three SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit zones on Monday, June 15 to accommodate increased travel demand to key destinations. The zones include Franklin – South Sacramento, North Sacramento and Rancho Cordova. With a total of nine active SmaRT Ride service zones, SacRT is the largest microtransit provider in the country, operating with 45 shuttles.

“We are excited to be able to expand three of our SmaRT Ride zones to connect more customers to even more locations within their community,” said SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li. “We continue to see customers relying on SmaRT Ride even during the COVID-19 pandemic and we hope that the expansion of the zones will improve access and mobility options for our riders, especially for essential travel to work, grocery stores and medical appointments.”

"SacRT continues to provide innovative mobility choices in the Sacramento region, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic by investing more resources in communities that need reliable access to transit service," said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen. "SmaRT Ride is a vital option for residents during these challenging times, in particular for our many riders who are not able to work remotely."

SacRT’s SmaRT Ride service is provided through Measure A funding. SacRT was awarded a $12 million grant by the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) to help expand microtransit service with a focus on disadvantaged communities throughout the Sacramento region.

"During these uncertain times, it’s refreshing to see that SacRT has not lost focus on the future of public transit as the economy and communities rebound from the pandemic," said STA Chair and Elk Grove City Councilmember Darren Suen. "STA is proud to have provided funding to help expand SmaRT Ride throughout the region and in areas that are currently underserved by transit."

The Franklin – South Sacramento expansion will also include the launch of a zero-emission electric SmaRT Ride shuttle. This is the first of three new Green Power Electric Vehicle (EV) shuttles that will operate in the Franklin – South Sacramento zone. The EV shuttles are funded by Electrify America as part of the Green Cities investment in Sacramento.

“Electrify America’s investments in Sacramento over the past 18 months are meant to make electric mobility accessible and affordable through a range of options, including EV car sharing, electricpowered public transit and an expanded electric charging network that meet the diverse needs of all neighborhoods,” said Richard Steinberg, Senior Director Marketing, Communications and Green Cities at Electrify America. “We are pleased to underwrite the costs of three new Green Power EV shuttles for SacRT that will exclusively service lower income and disadvantaged areas of south Sacramento and Oak Park that historically have had limited public transportation options.”

Expanded SmaRT Ride Zones:

Franklin – South Sacramento: The service zone will be expanded east to Stockton Boulevard between 14th Avenue and Fruitridge Road in Oak Park. This zone will transition to corner-to-corner service and operate with three new electric shuttles. Click here for New Map

North Sacramento: The service zone will be extended west to include key destinations in the Natomas communities, including Walmart and Target off of Truxel Road, Raley’s off of Del Paso Road, American River College Branch and Natomas Library. Click here for New Map

Rancho Cordova: The service zone will be expanded west to Bradshaw Road and as far south as Old Placerville Road to include the Lincoln Village community. This zone will also transition to corner-to corner service. Click here for New Map

All of the SmaRT Ride zones, with the exception of the Citrus Heights-Antelope-Orangevale zone, will have corner-to-corner service, which means passengers are picked up and dropped off at the nearest corner or ‘virtual bus stop,’ which is usually within a block or two of their pickup or drop-off location.

What is SmaRT Ride?

SmaRT Ride is similar to other ride-share services where customers can use a smartphone app to request a ride that will pick up and drop off passengers within the service boundaries.

Following a SmaRT Ride request, the new SmaRT Ride app will provide passengers with an estimated pick-up time, track their bus in real-time, and be alerted when their ride is about to arrive. Passengers will also be alerted when their ride is about to reach their desired destination.

SmaRT Ride customers can also request a ride by calling 916-556-0100 or by going online to ondemand.sacrt.com; however, trip requests must be made on the same day. Wait times for service are subject to vehicle availability and demand. SmaRT Ride service is only available within each designated service zone. SmaRT Ride shuttles cannot travel outside the service boundaries. It costs $2.50 per ride or $1.25 for discount eligible customers. Five or more passengers can ride for free from the same pick-up and drop-off location.

SmaRT Ride has been in operation since February 2018, when it rolled out as a pilot service in Citrus Heights. To date, SacRT has provided more than 210,000 SmaRT Ride trips.

More information on the service, including maps of the nine service areas and hours of operation, is available at https://www.sacrt.com/smart-ride/.