In response to an expected $18 million loss in state funds, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will hold public hearings to discuss proposed service reductions and fare increases.  The public hearings will be held on Monday, July 28, 2008, at 6 p.m. in the RT Auditorium located at 1400 29th Street (at N Street).

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009) calls for a $1.4 billion cut to transit agencies statewide.  The result is an $18 million loss in State Transit Assistance funds to RT, which will severely impact bus and light rail service.  Should the California Legislature approve the proposed budget, this will be the second year in a row that transit funds have been diverted to the state’s general fund to balance the state budget.  Last fiscal year, RT implemented cost-containment measures and reduced bus service by 5 percent to balance its budget, despite an unanticipated $14 million loss of state funds, a $14 million loss of sales tax dollars from the Local Transportation Fund, and a $10 million loss of Local Measure A sales tax dollars.

“RT is at the point where we can no longer absorb this magnitude of cuts to transit funding without increasing fares or implementing service reductions - or a combination of both,” Mike Wiley, General Manager/CEO, stated.

Service reductions are proposed for implementation on January 4, 2009.  Staff will present four service reduction options:

1. Eliminate Service Based on Productivity:  Bus - Discontinue bus routes that operate at less than 70 percent productivity compared to the routes in its category ($3.7 million savings).  The following routes are potential candidates for discontinuation.

Weekdays - Routes 9, 10, 36, 63, 94, 95, 107, 249, 251, 261
Weekdays/Saturdays - Routes 6, 73, 74
Weekdays/Weekends/Holiday - Route 75
Saturdays - Routes 28, 54, 65
Sundays/Holidays - Route 5

2. Reduce Service Frequency:  Bus - Reduce bus service frequency during peak hours so that no service operates more frequently than every 30 minutes ($4 million savings) or reduce bus service frequency during off-peak hours so that no route operates more frequently than every 60 minutes ($1 million savings).  Light Rail - Reduce light rail service frequency to every 30 minutes all day ($4.1 million savings) or to every 30 minutes during off-peak hours ($2.05 million savings).

3. Reduce Service Day:  Bus - Reduce the hours of bus service from approximately 5 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. to operate from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. ($2 million savings).  Light Rail - Reduce the hours of light rail service from approximately 4 a.m. until 1 a.m. to operate from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. ($0.43 million savings).

4. Reduce Weekend Service:  Bus - Discontinue all weekend bus service ($5.9 million) or discontinue Sunday/Holiday bus service ($2.5 million savings).  Individual bus routes could be discontinued based on productivity - less than 10 passengers per trip ($0.8 million savings).  Light Rail - Discontinue all weekend light rail service ($1.5 million savings) or discontinue Sunday/Holiday light rail service ($0.25 million savings).

Fare increases are proposed for implementation on January 1, 2009.  Staff will present four fare increase scenarios ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent for basic fares, daily passes and monthly passes.

Staff also proposes the elimination of the Paratransit Group Pass.  Passengers who qualify for complementary paratransit demand-response service and possess a Paratransit, Inc. photo ID card are allowed to ride the RT bus and light rail system at no cost.  The Paratransit Group Pass was intended to encourage Paratransit riders to utilize RT’s fixed-route system for some trips.  With the elimination of the Paratransit Group Pass, passengers who qualify for complementary paratransit service are eligible to ride RT’s fixed-route system at the discount fare.

Staff will request Board approval to continue the public hearing to Monday, August 25 at 6 p.m. in the RT Auditorium located at 1400 29th Street.

The ramifications of the state-imposed budget cuts extend beyond this fiscal year and jeopardize local matching funds for federally-funded projects, including the South Line Phase 2 and Downtown Natomas Airport light rail extensions.

“Gas prices are at an all-time high, light rail ridership has increased by double-digits and the Sacramento region is discovering the benefits of public transit,” Wiley stated.  “At a critical time when there is demand for more service, the Governor and Legislature are forcing RT to do the wrong thing and ask transit riders to pay more money for less service.”

For more information about the proposed service reductions and fare increases, visit www.sacrt.com to view the staff report.  For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.