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​​​​​​​​GHG-11

Increase Transit Ridership

Measure

Through this measure, the County intends to encourage increased transit ridership to shift travel from single-occupancy vehicles to public transit. The County will implement the General Plan Circulation Element’s "Transit" policy plan by partnering with agencies like SacRT and SACOG. The policy plan will improve transit services by making the services more convenient and comfortable and therefore encourage the use of transit instead of light-duty and single-occupancy vehicles.​​​

​Actio​​ns

Action GHG-11-a: Update the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines, which guide traffic impact analyses for individual projects, to include assessments of public transit, including but not limited to:

  •  Accessibility of transit, including the American Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility, to pedestrians, in the project vicinity.
  • Need for route extensions/connectors and bus stops.
  • Adequacy of pedestrian and bicycle connections to transit, including bike paths and parking.
  • Impact of project-generated automobile trips on transit speeds and dwell time.
  • Assessment of project-generated transit trips on transit capacity.

 Status: Not Started. 


Action GHG-11-b: Update the TIA Guidelines to require projects near transit to prioritize measures to improve and support transit access, which may include:

  • Prioritize walking and biking connections to transit.
  • Allow for space and utility connections for high-quality bus stops at project frontages (e.g., electricity for bus stop lighting, signage, and surveillance, space for bike parking/lockers) in coordination with SacRT.
  • Prioritize improving transit quality at the project site over private shuttles.
  • Encourage transit use, for example through transit passes and/or other transit-specific initiatives.

 Status: Not Started. 


Action GHG-11-c: Continue to include SacRT and other appropriate transit providers, in the pre-application process and review of traffic impact analyses for new projects to verify that projects do not impact transit access and that any planned or identified transit infrastructure improvements are addressed.Status: Ongoing.


Action GHG-11-d: Dedicate one County staff member as a Transit Coordinator to lead collaboration with regional partners and coordinate within the County's transportation planning and development review processes. Responsibilities and duties may include but are not limited to:

  • Facilitate regular coordination with local transit agencies to align transit priorities and coordinate County support for local transit planning and implementation.
  • Participate in regional transit and transportation planning and represent the unincorporated county’s interests, especially in Environmental Justice Communities.
  • Prioritize funding for the most effective and equitable transit-supporting infrastructure to ensure access to transit is provided.
  • Track changes in travel patterns, vehicle ownership trends, and evolutions in transit service models (such as on-demand micro-transit) to maximize transit use and reduce VMT from light-duty vehicles.
  • Prioritize transit access improvements to reduce access barriers for seniors and people with physical disabilities, in coordination with the County ADA Coordinator.
  • Coordinate land use zoning densities with existing and future mass transit station locations to ensure denser land use within 1/2 to 1 mile of rail or BRT (or other high-capacity transit) stations.
  • Review road space and work with regional transit providers to re-allocate road space and change traffic operations to prioritize transit (e.g., bus-only lanes, pullouts).

Status: Not Started. 


Action GHG-11-e: Meet regularly with SacRT and SACOG transit and transportation planners serving the county to identify actions the County can take to help improve access to transit including, but not limited to:

  • Identifying, prioritizing, and funding short-term needs for transit improvements in the unincorporated county based on the greatest need and highest impact (e.g., repairing dilapidated transit shelters and stops, addressing immediate safety concerns on or near transit stops, ensuring adequate bike parking at stops).
  • Identifying, prioritizing, and funding long-term transit access improvements based on the greatest need and highest impact.
  • Identifying priority transit areas, leveraging SACOG’s data capabilities to identify areas that can benefit most from increased transit access.
  • Understanding transit demand and parameters that will help increase ridership (e.g., station types, safety considerations, type of services, frequency) (SACOG Next Transit Strategy: UX.COM.3).
  • Supporting non-County transit access projects (e.g., first mile/last mile projects like bike/e-scooter share partnerships, transportation network company reimbursements, and micro-transit for rural areas).
  • Developing an aggressive joint marketing strategy to increase awareness and understanding of transit service, first mile/last mile amenities, and transit access and wayfinding, and advertising improvements and benefits of transit. Combining efforts with active transportation marketing.
  •  Supporting passenger safety.

 Status: Ongoing.


Action GHG-11-f: Annually request transit ridership data within unincorporated Sacramento County from SACOG and SacRT to monitor transit utilization and transit mode share. Status: Not Started. 


Action GHG-11-g: Provide and improve connections to transit stations by identifying, prioritizing, and seeking funding to plan and construct roadways, bikeways, and pedestrian improvements within 1/2 mile of existing and planned transit stations (implemented through Measure GHG-12). Status: Not Started. 


Action GHG-11-h: Explore a potential partnership with SacRT to expand transit access when developing the VMT Mitigation Fee (see GHG-08). Status: Waiting on Dependency. 


Action GHG-11-i: Continue to partner with SacRT, incorporated cities, school districts, and other supporting organizations in a long-term cost-sharing program to provide fare-free transit for youth (i.e., ages 4-18) in SacRT’s service area. This program removes barriers to youth transit ridership and enhances mobility options for families while also reducing VMT and GHG emissions. Status: Ongoing.

​Status of Implementation

The Department of Transportation provides dial-a-ride (DAR), fixed route, and commuter services throughout the eastern and southern portions of Sacramento County. In the south County, Sacramento County partners with the City of Galt to manage a bus transit program known as South County Link (SCT Link) with four bus routes. In 2023-2024, the Department of Transportation expanded service on Dial-a-Ride for extended hours on weekdays and the Highway 99 route to include Saturday service.  

​Sacramento County also contracts with Amador Transit to provide one commuter route to Sacramento for those living in Rancho Murieta in east Sacramento County. 

Working with the Department of Planning and Environmental Review and Special Districts, the Department of Transportation provides input on long range plans for future transit service in plan areas. For Community Service Area 10 Zone 3, an approved plan area, the Department is currently reviewing the transit start-up plan for implementation. 

Updated 7/12/2024.​​


​​​​​​​Started​

The efforts for this measure have started. ​​

​Obje​ctives

Partner with regional transportation agencies to increase transit ridership by 16% by 2030 and 43% by 2045, above 2021 levels, through implementation of the "Transit" policy plan in the Circulation Element.​
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