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. The final day of SmaRT Ride service will be Tuesday, December 31, 2024. 

The new program will provide a shared-use mobility service, available to schedule by app or phone, in the same nine SmaRT Ride zones within the same service hours Monday through Friday. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles will be used to ensure everyone eligible can access this service. Eligible riders will need to pre-register for the new service, we expect early registration to open in November 2024.  Examples of certification may include DHS eligbility card/pass, EBT verification letter, Medi-Cal card, or pre-eligible for SacRT Senior/Disabled  ID card. 

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.   

What’s Next?
In January 2025, SacRT plans to launch an 18-month shared-use mobility pilot program, yielding a significantly lower annual operating cost while maintaining the same service zones and service hours. The program is expected to be funded by local Neighborhood Shuttle funds and aims to serve eligible riders, including people with disabilities and low-income community members. 

Next Steps
The draft plan for this new program was presented to the SacRT Board of Directors in September 2024, and we are refining it based on public feedback.   The amended draft plan was presented to the SacRT Board of Directors on Monday, October 14, 2024.  It’s important to note that this program change will improve our long-term fiscal sustainability, while focusing on building core ridership through cost-effective first-mile/last-mile solutions. Details of the new program will be finalized prior to launch in January 2025.