ENWhat to Expect During a Bus Bridge
Helping you navigate the SacRT system when light rail service is impacted.
What Is a Bus Bridge?
A bus bridge is a temporary shuttle bus service used when light rail trains cannot operate on a portion of the light rail line. SacRT activates a bus bridge when light rail service is interrupted due to track repairs, construction, an emergency, or another unexpected disruption.
Bus bridge buses help riders travel to their destination station around the affected segment of the light rail system when there is no train service. Shuttle buses typically run between or near impacted stations until regular train service is restored.
Riders may need to exit the station and go to a designated nearby location to board a shuttle bus.
How Often Do Bus Bridge Buses Run?
Bus bridge service may not operate as frequently or as consistently as regular light rail service.
Because shuttle buses travel on city streets, travel times can be affected by:
- Traffic and roadway conditions
- Weather
- Time of day
- Availability of buses and operators
- Number of stations being served
- The nature and location of the disruption
In general, it may take approximately 30–45 minutes to deploy bus bridge service following an unplanned interruption. Once operating, buses may arrive about every 30–45 minutes, depending on available resources and the number of stops being served.
SacRT works to deploy bus bridges as quickly as possible. Coordinating a bus bridge is a complex process that depends on vehicle and operator availability. If additional resources are not immediately available, SacRT may need to shift buses from other fixed-route bus service, which can affect the broader system.
Please note: bus bridge timing is estimated and cannot be guaranteed.
Where Do I Catch the Bus Bridge Shuttle?
Pickup locations vary depending on the disruption and the stations involved.
Listen for station announcements and/or SacRT staff such as Transit Ambassadors, station guards and supervisors who will direct riders to the designated shuttle bus area.
How SacRT Communicates During an “Unplanned” Disruption
During an unexpected disruption, SacRT shares updates through multiple channels, including:
- Alert SacRT app and Service Alerts webpage
- Public address announcements
- SacRT staff at affected stations
- Digital message signs (when available)
- SacRT Customer Service
- SacRT social media – if an extended disruption expected beyond 30 minutes
Because conditions can change quickly, detailed information may not always be immediately available while teams assess the situation. Estimated restoration times may change as updates come in.
In some cases, regular light rail service may be restored before bus bridge operations are fully deployed. If that happens, bus bridge service may be canceled and train service resumed, possibly with residual delays and a gap in service times.
“Planned” Light Rail Disruption/Bus Bridge Service
When a bus bridge is scheduled in advance, SacRT communicates early and often to help riders plan ahead. Information may be shared through:
- SacRT website and project pages
- Rider Alerts (email and/or push notifications on Alert SacRT app)
- Service Alerts page on sacrt.com/Alerts
- News releases
- Social media
- Digital message signs (where available)
- Station announcements
- A-frame signs at stations
- On-board posters and notices
- Flyers at stations, park-and-rides, and community locations
We encourage riders to check the Alert SacRT app and SacRT’s Service Alerts for the latest planned and real‑time updates.
Our Commitment to You
We understand that service disruptions can be frustrating, especially when they affect your travel plans. SacRT is committed to restoring regular service as quickly as possible and providing alternative transportation when resources are available.
The safety of our passengers, employees, and the community is always our top priority.
Thank you for your patience and understanding while our teams work to resolve the disruption and resume normal service.
Need Assistance?
SacRT Customer Service Representatives are available to help with questions about service disruptions, bus bridges, and other transit services.
Customer Service: 916-321‑BUSS (2877)
Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday: 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
