SacRT is moving forward with its plans to transition the SmaRT Ride on-demand microtransit service to an innovative and cost-effective shared-use mobility pilot program. Starting in January 2025, SacRT will replace SmaRT Ride with a new shared-use mobility service which will be called SacRT Flex.
 
The last day of existing SmaRT Ride service will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024. SacRT Flex service will begin on Thursday, January 2, 2025. 

What to expect with SacRT Flex: 

• Corner-to-corner, shared-ride service available by app or by phone 

• Service in the same nine zones as current SmaRT Ride service 

• Same operating hours: Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

• 100 percent wheelchair-accessible vehicles 

• Real-time updates on vehicle location and arrival time 

New features of SacRT Flex include: 

• The service will use standard passenger vans, with three seats, one wheelchair space, and a rear-entry wheelchair lift (to reduce costs) 

• Fewer total vehicles will operate in each zone (to reduce costs) 

• Eligibility will be limited to low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, and seniors (to prioritize transportation needs) 

• Advance booking (e.g., day before) will now be allowed 

• A flat fare of $2.50 per trip for all customers 

• No passes accepted; companions and attendants can travel for free on the $2.50 fare of the first rider 

• Advance registration for the service will be required, starting in December (eligibility certification may include DHA eligibility card/pass, EBT verification letter, Medi-Cal card, or pre-eligibility for SacRT Senior/Disabled ID card) 

Vehicle Example (not actual vehicle):

Eligible riders will need to pre-register for the new service, we expect early registration to open in December 2024.  

To prioritize those with the greatest transportation needs, the service will focus on riders such as: 

• Persons with disabilities 

• Low-income individuals 

• Seniors

SacRT to Hold Public Workshop in November 

To gather feedback and share more details about this upcoming transition, we invite you to join us for a virtual workshop on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82940368613

Call-In Number: (669) 444-9171

Your input is important as we shape the future of shared mobility in our community. 

Public Feedback
SacRT held a virtual workshop on Thursday, October 10, 2024 to share information about these plans. 

View the PowerPoint presentation from the virtual workshop here.

Virtual Workshop - October 10, 2024
Watch it here

Why is SmaRT Ride Ending?
SacRT successfully navigated through the pandemic by being fiscally responsible with our federal COVID-19 relief funds and other revenue sources. And unlike many other agencies that had to use most of their federal COVID-19 relief funds for operations, depleting the funds early, we were able to extend the use of relief funding and focus on long-delayed capital needs such as state of good repair projects. More recently, SB125 provided another relief package for California transit agencies, including SacRT.  

As required by SB125 and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), who is responsible for allocating the SB125 funding, SacRT has developed a long-term action plan for strong fiscal sustainability, including optimizing business processes, maximizing efficiencies, reviewing less efficient ridership services, and identifying opportunities for cost savings.  

While SacRT has taken great pride in being a trendsetter in the transit industry over the years, implementing innovative new transit services to boost mobility in the Sacramento region, we must also be good stewards of public funds. SmaRT Ride was implemented as a pilot program in 2018, with a one-time lump sum grant of $14 million from Measure A’s Neighborhood Shuttle program.  

Unfortunately, the annual funding from the grant program is only $800,000. When compared to SmaRT Ride’s annual operating costs of $8.4 million, it’s clear that the service is too expensive to continue to operate. In addition, SmaRT Ride’s operating cost per passenger is over $47, almost five times more than our fixed-route bus system, while carrying less than 1% of overall system ridership. The decision to transition the service follows a comprehensive assessment of SmaRT Ride’s service performance and financial impact.   

Voucher Program Cancelled

Note: The originally proposed rideshare voucher program, announced in late September 2024, where former SmaRT Ride customers would receive $5.00 vouchers to ride Uber, will no longer be going forward. The proposed new SacRT Flex proposal has replaced that program instead, based on feedback from the community that the voucher program would not have provided sufficient access for persons with wheelchairs and/or service animals.

Questions? Comments?

Your input is important! Comments on the proposed changes in service and to the fare structure will be taken through Saturday, November 30, 2024. Your comments can still affect details of the program, even after the SacRT Board’s vote on November 18, 2024.

Email: CustomerAdvocacy@sacrt.com.

Web: sacrt.com/rideshare

Phone: 916-321-BUSS (2877)