Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "regional transit"

Movement: A photo essay of the Sacramento Valley Station

2011-11-06T21:45:57Z

It’s as if the ghosts of all those who have traveled through these halls before us can still be heard... I find myself yet again walking through empty rooms that echo not only my footsteps, but the seeming sounds of the past

The Sacramento Valley Station finds itself as a hub of transportation for the Sacramento area. Currently serving as an intermodal complex, the facility includes Amtrak, light rail, regional bus services and taxi amenities.

The public portions of the building are those that many are familiar with such as the main hall, or passenger waiting area, where customers purchase tickets or pass through to the facilities outside to the north. Outside are the bus berths, passenger tunnel and platforms, areas for taxis, and of course the rail lines themselves.

What the public doesn’t see are the dilapidated and crumbling rooms, once used as restaurants and offices. Light rich rooms, these areas have moods all to themselves. A large main hall that was used as a restaurant area reverberates densely as the building creaks and moans. Smaller offices are calm and quiet in their desolation.

They all sit empty, unusable due to their lack of upkeep, failure to meet building codes and absence of basics, such as elevators, restrooms and heating and cooling systems.

The building, constructed in 1926, marked the terminus of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Over the years, neglect of the facilities took its toll on the aging walls. The materials, though of quality, have simply outlived their life span.

The building itself qualifies as a historic property under the National Historic Preservation Act and is listed in historic registers, including the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places, among others.

More recently the City has put forth a federal grant application, with hopes of receiving approximately 28 million dollars of leverage money. The funds will go towards revitalizing the entire facility, to make use of the 53,000 square feet of space not being used and rehabilitating the historic features.

In the meantime, the City is now retrofitting the station to meet current standards for earthquake safety, as well as adding upgrades for people with disabilities, using an already granted sum of $11 million in federal and state monies.

Disclosure: Carlos Eliason is a photographer/videographer and designer working in the Sacramento area. He is also a creative media intern for the City of Sacramento.

Surveillance cameras help prevent crime on Regional Transit

2011-09-03T02:18:23Z

The new cameras that were installed at several Sacramento light rail stations in May have helped prevent crimes and improve passenger safety, according to Doug Voska, a Sergeant with the Sacramento Police Department.

“People want to feel safe when they ride transit,” said Voska, who has a contract position with RT. “If they don’t feel safe, they’re not gonna do it.”

Because the cameras were primarily funded by the federal Department of Homeland Security, their main focus must be on terrorism prevention. But according to Voska, this has many crossover benefits when it comes to crime prevention and passenger safety.

“Even without a uniformed police officer, somebody is keeping an eye on things,” he said. There are officers monitoring all the cameras at the stations, and Voska said he hopes that by the end of the year, there will be people monitoring the cameras on the trains and buses as well.

Voska said that the cameras have helped officers solve numerous types of crimes, from graffiti to robbery.

The videos are often used for prosecution purposes, and the police department even uses the cameras to locate suspects who have fled from a crime scene via bus or light rail. Still, he maintained that “crime is not that high on RT, so they are primarily used for crime prevention.”

But the amount of surveillance on RT is causing some outcry among personal privacy advocates. Cres Vellucci, a member of the board of the Sacramento Chapter of the ACLU, said he is concerned over what he sees as an Orwellian affront on privacy rights.

“Pervasive video surveillance does threaten privacy rights,” he said via email. “The U.S. has … been proud to proclaim that we are willing to give a little bit in security if need be to maintain our unique freedom ... Fear, however, can make us do some terrible things.”

According to Linda Lye, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Northern California, everything from data retention to the cost and effectiveness of the cameras has ACLU members worried. “Why are we investing scarce public safety dollars on methods that invade our privacy but don’t make us any safer?” she asked.

“If the government is going to implement measures that do invade our privacy, we want to be sure that they’re actually making us safer, and the data hasn’t really shown that with respect to video surveillance cameras,” Lye said.

She cited studies done by the ACLU in 2007 and by UC Berkeley in 2008 to support her claim that cameras do not make a big enough impact on crime. “The hard research shows that these (methods) don’t make us safer,” she said. “The thing that we find frustrating is this false dichotomy that’s often posed between safety and privacy.”

“There are far more effective, and much less expensive crime prevention tools,” wrote Vellucci, who recommended alternatives such as better lighting, community policing, and job and youth programs to “reduce crime and also help the local economy.”

Despite the ACLU’s opposition, Voska said that he believes the public generally supports the cameras.

“I’ve heard people say that they like the camera surveillance because they do feel safer,” he said. “Since we can’t afford to have a police officer on every train, we try to keep an eye on what’s going on … as efficiently and as effectively as we can. RT is not in a position to violate anybody’s rights.”

Like all other technology, the cameras are in constant need of upkeep. “Everybody who has a camera system has to deal with malfunctions,” Voska said. This includes everything from technical problems to issues with shrubbery growing into the cameras’ fields of vision.

Vandalism has also had an effect, albeit a small one. One camera has been stolen, and several of the cameras have been lightly tagged with graffiti, Voska added.

But Voska insisted that the cameras are worth the trouble. “It’s an overwhelming desire on the part of the passengers to feel safe,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t have any (officers) there, so that’s when we keep an eye on it through cameras.”

Here are links to the studies cited by the ACLU:

UC Berkeley Study: CITRIS Report

ACLU Study: Under the Watchful Eye

Bridge over tracks to connect Curtis Park, Land Park

2011-06-14T00:53:50Z

Residents will get a chance to see the design of a planned pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the railroad between Curtis Park and Land Park Wednesday night.

The city’s project team will give a construction update at the Sierra 2 Center for the Arts and Community, 2791 24th St., at 6 p.m. ~~6:30 p.m~~ . Wednesday

The bridge is designed to give pedestrians and cyclists safe access over the railroad tracks from the light rail stop at Sacramento City College near the intersection of 24th Street and Sutterville Road.

“Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists must use Sutterville Road to travel between Curtis Park and the light rail station,” according to a Department of Transportation newsletter. “This multi-lane, high-speed roadway makes walking and bike riding a risky and inconvenient way to travel.”

Click here to see the city's map of the area.

According to the newsletter, the elevated track crossing will be 12 feet wide, with concrete railings and access shields to give riders and walkers enough space for safe two-way traffic.

Engineers will be able to begin the design phase in July, when the environmental phase is completed. A grant of $500,000 was received from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and no funding is coming from the city’s general fund, which is currently $39 million in the hole as City Council attempts to balance spending and revenues.

Sacramento Department of Transportation spokeswoman Linda Tucker said the project is a candidate to receive Proposition 1B funds from SACOG.

“The city should succeed in getting the money to build it,” she said in an email Monday. “It’s really a ‘feel-good’ project that will get students and RT riders from Point A to Point B in the safest, most direct fashion.”

The design phase is expected to be completed in 2012.

Currently, the design includes using both ramps and staircases to access the elevated crossing. Ramps will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and stairs might have small ramps incorporated into them that would allow cyclists to push their bicycles up the stairs if they don’t want to use the longer ramps.

The approach ramps are 400 feet long on either side of the 300-foot span over the railroad tracks.

The project goes back to 2006, when a feasibility study was funded as the city looked to link the already pedestrian-oriented Curtis Park and Land Park neighborhoods and provide better access to public transit, according to Tucker.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow him on Twitter @Brandon_Darnell.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

4th Annual Sacramento Homeless Connect this Saturday, May 21 at Sacramento City College

2011-05-16T21:19:36Z

The 4th Annual Sacramento Homeless Connect event will take place this Saturday, May 21 at Sacramento City College from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. It is hosted by Sacramento Steps Forward, with support from presenting sponsor The Salvation Army. Speakers at the event include Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, Mayor Kevin Johnson and Supervisor Phil Serna. Over 1,000 homeless guests are expected; additionally the event hosts 500 community volunteers and over 60 different service providers.

Project Homeless Connect is a national Best Practice model for bringing services directly to homeless folks. Started in San Francisco, it now occurs in over 150 communities across the country. Homeless Connect events are one-day, one-stop, 100% free resource fairs that bring a myriad of services all to one location, thus eliminating many of the barriers homeless folks face in accessing the services they need. Transportation is provided for guests that day (a major barrier for many homeless people), as well as pet care and childcare. Homeless folks get to meet with providers face-to-face, in a warm, hospitable environment. Additionally, the Salvation Army provides BBQ chicken meals for the guests, and bands Guitar Mac and BluSoul Band will be providing all-day entertainment.

500 community volunteers will be donating their time that day, helping with a number of different projects.

This year, over 60 different agencies and service providers will be in attendance, including:

Community housing and shelter providers, including: Sacramento Self-Help Housing; Volunteers of America; Transitional Living & Community Support; Lutheran Social Services, Resources for Independent Living; St. John’s Shelter and Sacramento Area Emergency Housing
Health Services including: the UC Davis Willow Clinic rapid HIV-testing by CARES, Hep-C, STI testing and harm reduction services by Harm Reduction Services and Oak Park Outreach Services; dental screenings by Dr. Charles Newens, and ocular exams by the Lion’s Club Vision Van and UC Davis eye doctors
Free California State IDs provided by the DMV, with help from Francis House
An Employment Triage Station, run by Women’s Empowerment, with an interview-ready clothing closet and help with resume-writing and interview skills
A new Wellness Area, including: free yoga all day, by the Yoga Seed Collective, 20-minute mini-chair massages by the Healing Arts Institute, foot washing & clean socks by Christ Church, Davis, an art therapy station (staffed by AmeriCorps NCCC members) and a Story Table (with professional portraits by Lynette Falls of Three One Photography)
A Mental Health services station, staffed by Guest House Homeless Clinic, Genesis, Social Security Administration, SMART (a brand-new pilot program that helps folks receive SSI), and Clean & Sober
Veterans Services, staffed by the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center, the Sacramento Veterans Support Network, the Sacramento County Veterans
Sacramento County General Assistance and CalFresh (Food Stamps)
Bike repair provided by Cycles4Hope, who is also raffling off 10 adult bikes
Free haircuts by Federico’s Beauty Institute Salon
And amazing giveaways, including: The Sacramento Public Library is giving away 200 free books; the Bra Recyclers donated 1,300 bras; Restoring Vision provided us with 300 pairs of reading glasses; a Sac State student is giving away 150 pairs of shoes; 2 clothing closets and exit gift bags for each guest.
Other elements: free transportation all day provided by Regional Transit, Paratransit, Volunteers of America and Sacramento County. Free all day pet-care provided by WOOFF and free childcare provided by the Mustard Seed School!

The Salvation Army is our presenting sponsor, for the 2nd year in a row, and they’re providing at least $20,000 of in-kind support.

Additional sponsors: The City of Rancho Cordova, Wells Fargo Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Sutter Health Sacramento Sierra Region, Sacramento Housing & Redevelopment Agency, Loaves & Fishes, Sacramento Mutual Housing Association, Councilmember Steve Cohn, The Merchants National Bank, CARES, UC Davis Health System, Sacramento Housing Alliance and Councilmember Jay Schenirer.

Last year's Sacramento Homeless Connect had over 800 homeless adults and 170 homeless children in attendance.

For questions about the event, please contact Kate Towson, ktowson@communitycouncil.org

Kate Towson is an Americorps VISTA serving with Sacramento Steps Forward.

Police surveillance cameras installed

2011-05-03T00:57:08Z

The Sacramento Police Department is almost done installing 13 new surveillance cameras at various public places in the city including at Seventh and K streets and at the Alkali Flat light rail station downtown.

The department used a $600,000 federal Homeland Security grant to purchase the 13 new security cameras, three mobile surveillance trailers and tools to preserve surveillance images. Additionally, the department can now use more than 60 Regional Transit security cameras because it spent some of the grant money to link its surveillance system with Regional Transit’s system.

Installation of the cameras, which started in February, will be complete by Friday, said Sacramento Police Department spokeswoman Laura Peck.

In 2009, the state announced the Sacramento Police Department was selected for the federal grant money.

The new cameras will give the Sacramento Police Department the ability to gather evidence of criminal activity when crimes are reported, Peck said.

Asked how long the police department will keep video footage from the cameras, Peck said the length of time will depend on the situation. The department used the new mobile surveillance trailers at a heavily attended outdoor concert hosted by KSFM 102.5 on Capitol Mall last weekend, she said. There were no incidents as part of the event, Peck said, so there is no reason for the department to hold onto the video footage.

“But, let’s say, for example, a crime had occurred, then the footage would become part of the investigation,” she said.

If that were the case, the footage would be maintained until it was no longer needed, she said.

The KSFM concert was the first event that occurred since the department obtained the surveillance trailers, Peck said. The department will use the trailers at every event that draws a lot of people, she added.

Peck said the locations for the cameras were selected because they are “high-crime areas.”

The 13 cameras are at six spots in the city. “At some of the larger intersections (Mack and Center Parkway, for example), multiple cameras were installed to cover the area,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has opposed the cameras since the department announced in 2009 that it won the federal grant money.

The local ACLU is “opposed to the use of public money to put surveillance and cameras in public places to watch people who are not doing anything wrong,” said Debra Reiger, the chapter’s president.

“It amounts to watching everybody just so you can find someone doing wrong,” she added.

But Peck disagreed. “There’s no expectation of privacy when you’re in a public place,” she said.

Three people walking near Seventh and K streets Monday were not disturbed by the round surveillance cameras attached to poles above their heads.

Cameras are a “violation of privacy,” said Ron Johnson, age 66. But they are everywhere, he said, giving the example that his cell phone has a camera.

The cameras could prevent crime in the K Street area, according to Sacramento resident Kevin Davis, age 24. They will serve as a “24-7 neighborhood watch,” he said.

And Raylene Vance, 25, said the cameras could be useful if a crime, such as a shooting, occurs.

Click on the link below to view a map that pinpoints the locations of the 13 cameras.

View Locations for new police surveillance cameras in a larger map

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Light rail signs to give real-time train info

2011-02-18T01:09:50Z

Sacramento light rail riders will soon have real-time information on train schedules and delays as a new electronic sign program is implemented.

In an effort to improve its communication with riders, Sacramento Regional Transit is installing 36 signs at 22 stations in the first phase of a project that will eventually see signs at all stations, said Alane Masui, Sacramento Regional Transit spokeswoman.

“They need the information so they can make the decision that best fits their needs,” she said.

Signs will inform riders about train delays and scheduling issues, Masui said, adding that the information is currently posted to the website, but transit officials wanted to make the information more readily available.

“They will be able to say things like, ‘Trains experiencing minor delays,’ ” she said. “If there is a service disruption, we can let our passengers know so they can plan accordingly.”

Riders interviewed Thursday at the Sacramento Valley station, which has one of the new signs, said they thought the new electronic signage is a good idea.

“You never know when a train’s coming or if you just missed one,” said Terrance Williams, who rides light rail every day. “It’s going to save time.”

Masui said passengers will be able to plan around train delays, opting to either wait out the delay or find alternate transportation such as buses or taxis if need be.

“This will definitely help,” said Bruce Smith as he waited for a train in the rain on Thursday. “I used to ride the trains a lot, and I always wanted the info. It’s going to be more like BART now.”

The signs are currently in test mode, and installation started in November, but they are scheduled to start working with real-time updates sometime this spring, Masui said.

“Very soon, we’ll be posting schedule information,” she said. “It’s currently published in the timetable. It will all be tied into our network, and passengers will know exactly where their train is.”

Each sign costs abut $12,000, and the first phase of the project is part of a grant from state Proposition 1B transit funds.

The second phase – to complete the signage – has yet to be funded, and Masui said that will come in 2012.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Development sought in North Sac

2011-02-11T05:41:09Z

The Sacramento Planning Commission gave the green light to plans to re-zone parts of North Sacramento to attract future development.

The commission made a recommendation, Thursday night, to the City Council to vote on plans that will allow for more commercial development near a Regional Transit line.

City staff formally refer to the plans as the Northeast Line Implementation Plan. Areas near a light rail line that has stations at Globe Avenue and Del Paso Blvd, and at Arden Way and Del Paso Blvd, are the focus of the proposals. The city’s plans also cite areas around Royal Oaks Drive and Arden Way.

The City Council is expected to vote on the plans next month. The commissioners approved the plans but did not comment on them.

In an interview earlier on Thursday, Greg Sandlund, an associate planner for the city, said, “We just see this area having tremendous potential.”

The areas around the light rail line are unique, Sandlund said. “It’s the only corridor outside of the Central City where you have light rail running along a commercial corridor,” he said.

***

In other light rail news, Regional Transit is making headway on work to bring a light rail extension from Meadowview Road to Cosumnes River College.

As part of its extension, the agency intends to purchase parts of the backyards of 47 homes, according to Diane Nakano, assistant general manager of engineering and construction for RT.

Nakano said the environmental process is expected to run until May.

View Northeast Line Implementation Plan in a larger map

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

La Valentina affordable housing project kicks off

2010-12-10T01:21:47Z

Developers are promising to bring new life to a blighted section of Alkali Flat following the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for 81 units of affordable housing adjacent to the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light rail station.

The site on the corner of 12th and D streets has been vacant for more than 20 years and previously housed an auto repair shop.

The new construction will include 63 apartments and 18 townhouses, the latter being the first “Net Zero” site designed for Sacramento, meaning all energy consumed on the site will be produced there.

“We’re here to bring, I think, the most contemporary, most cutting-edge design that we could bring to one of the oldest residential neighborhoods of Sacramento,” said Meea Kang, a principal at Domus Development, the San Francisco-based company in charge of the project. “We’re very pleased to be able to do that."

Kang said the $27 million project is being financed by a combination of private, state and local funding and will create and/or maintain about 400 jobs in the area. Construction is scheduled to be completed in summer 2012.

“We are tremendously excited about this project, because this is one of the first near-zero-energy projects in the Sacramento area,” said Paul Lau, assistant general manager of SMUD. “This meets all the requirements of a great project.”

SMUD contributed more than $400,000 in credits for the project’s energy conservation, Lau said.

Lau checked off a laundry list of energy-efficient features in the building, including solar roofing panels, sliding glass doors, energy-efficient windows, space heating, central air conditioning, compact fluorescent and LED lighting, and Energy Star appliances.

“The whole (City) Council is really excited about this project,” said City Councilman Steve Cohn, in whose district the project sits. “This project really hits all the sweet spots; this hits all the points that we are trying to do when we talk about Sacramento becoming the most livable city in America.”

Cohn applauded the fact that the site is “taking advantage of a 25-year investment” in the Alkali Flat/La Valentina light rail station and urged Sacramentans to rely more on walking, bicycles and public transit.

“These types of projects are going to do just that,” he said.

But it wasn’t just government officials and developers who saw the groundbreaking as a good thing Thursday.

“Affordable housing gets people off the street,” said Harvey Hayes, an area resident. “And the energy efficiency is big.”

Hayes said he believes people are speeding up the natural process of the Earth’s climate change, and in working to be more energy-efficient, that process can be slowed down.

“Anything and everything makes a difference,” he said.

Another local resident, Richard, who declined to give his last name, said the area has long been a haven for drug use and crime, but building new housing on what was formerly a derelict lot will help curtail that problem.

“This place is a slum,” he said. “(The new project) is going to help a lot with the drug situation.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Ashby talks arena, Natomas housing

2010-12-07T02:09:13Z

New Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby hosted a driving tour of North and South Natomas and the Gardenland/Northgate neighborhood for The Sacramento Press on Monday. Throughout the tour, Ashby commented on a range of issues affecting Natomas, including plans for a new basketball arena and her views on the city’s low-income housing ordinance.

Ashby’s district includes the downtown Railyards and Natomas — two spots discussed in recent months as potential homes for a new arena. As she drove by Arco Arena, she said she wants to ensure that site in Natomas is factored into any development plans for a new sports and entertainment complex.

“But if the consensus is that if an arena best serves the city of Sacramento by being built downtown, or the Railyards, or wherever, then I’m OK with that — so long as that plan includes a designated re-use plan for this Natomas site,” she said.

“And I won’t be in support of anything that doesn’t address the Natomas component.”

While driving around North Natomas neighborhoods, Ashby expressed her views on the area’s planning issues. She said she would like to reexamine a 2000 city ordinance that aims to distribute affordable housing in neighborhoods.

“Because of the low-income inclusionary housing ordinance only applying to new growth areas, we have a lot of low-income inclusionary housing in North Natomas,” she said. “[This] isn’t really a problem, except for that it’s all stacked up. And we don’t have any services for low-income folks.”

For example, North Natomas doesn’t have a food bank, she said.

“Let’s see if there aren’t some modifications (to the ordinance) we can make to help stabilize our communities,” Ashby said. “And make the neighborhoods a little bit more balanced as they address serving the needs of folks.”

Ashby also pointed out large, neglected structures that were supposed to be developed but are now bank-owned blight. She nicknamed the failed development near East Commerce Way “Stonehenge,” and said the structures should be torn down. Graffiti and a knocked-down Porta-Potty were some of the features of the site.

Ashby also provided a tour of South Natomas, pointing out Regional Transit’s plans to run a Light Rail line there on a busy part of Truxel Road.

“I’m just not convinced that running Light Rail down this street will help it,” she said. “But I’m open to the discussion and I’m listening.”

Ashby also commented on the relationship of the Gardenland/Northgate neighborhood to South Natomas. “I think Gardenland/Northgate is its own community. But they very much are neighbors with, and associated with, South Natomas,” she said.

Ashby expressed optimism about the Natomas community and future plans for the area. “Who would choose to live here, I think, is a pretty cool family,” she said. “It’s somebody who wants a suburban setting like a Rocklin or a Roseville, but they want to be in the city of Sacramento. They want to be green ... They would be willing to hang out downtown.

“When people talk about building out downtown, this is who is going to go down there and shop and eat,” she said. “So, what you don’t want is to allow this community to fall apart at the seams. Because this is the community that will help stabilize the rest of the city if we can keep it as an attractive solution to the suburbs.”

Photos by David Watts Barton.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Hornet Shuttle faces reductions

2010-11-11T01:53:54Z

The good news is more and more people at Sacramento State are using alternative transportation and parking as they should. The bad news is revenue from parking citations has been down, and that may lead to changes to the university’s Hornet Shuttle program.

The University of Transportation and Parking Services, or UTAPS, held an open forum this afternoon regarding proposed Hornet Shuttle route changes for Spring and Fall 2011.

The Hornet Shuttle program began in 1989 with shuttle routes running off campus Monday – Friday from 7am to 7pm during the Fall and Spring semesters. The current fleet of six buses, all running on compressed natural gas, make 18 to 24 runs combined among three routes daily: The Gold Line runs through the Arden-Arcade area; the Green Line runs throughout the Campus Commons area; and the Hornet Line loops through the campus, to Folsom Hall, to the 65th Street Light Rail Station and back.

The Hornet Shuttle program is funded from fines and forfeitures received in University’s Parking Revenue Fund, which is part of UTAPS.

“Where we get our revenue is from parking citations,” said Abbi Stone, Associate Vice President of Business and Administrative Services, the division UTAPS is associated with.

“Tickets that people get and pay when they park on campus when they don’t have a parking permit or if they park in a space they are not allowed to park,” said Stone. “This money we collect from citations can only be used for alternative transportation, or the administration of people giving the citations, and the processing and listening to appeals.”

Currently, revenue from citations has been flat and is not expected to improve. While ridership on the Hornet Shuttle saw a seven percent increase from 2008/09 to 2009/10, expenses to maintain the fleet are also increasing.

All of this comes with a rising contract cost with Regional Transit, increasing from $376,648 in 2008/09 to $1,000,522 in 2011/12. The contract allows students to ride for no extra cost with their OneCard and Commuter Pass.

This is not the first time UTAPS has faced financial trouble. In 2007, the department spent $325,000 when breaking its lease with a moving solution company to provide a temporary on campus office prior to moving to Folsom Hall. The department is also tied into 30 year loans for the construction of Parking Structures II and III, requiring them to pay $3 million in debt per year.

To combat their expenses, UTAPS is proposing two changes. The first is to reduce the number of runs on all three lines beginning in the Spring 2011 semester. Each line would be limited to two runs apiece in the morning (7:40am-9:40am) and afternoon (2:20pm-4:20pm). Runs from 9:40am to 2:20pm and after 4:20pm would be eliminated.

“Based on our data from our ridership surveys, we find that those times are the least utilized,” said Stone.

UTAPS is also proposing to eliminate the Gold Line in Fall 2011 saying the route has a high level of redundancy with Regional Transit’s. The Gold Line route closely aligns with Regional Transit routes #22, #26, #82, and #87, all of which connect to the campus directly or via transfer. The elimination of the Gold Line is estimated to provide an annual savings of $50,000.

UTAPS will hold a second forum to discuss these changes on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 from 2pm – 3pm at Sacramento State in Library 11.

City Council to hear public comment later at night

2010-08-18T04:54:06Z

Residents will need to attend Sacramento City Council meetings later in the evening if they want to speak about issues that are not on the weekly council agenda.

The City Council changed its meeting rules Tuesday night to move the open public comment section to the end of the weekly meeting. Currently, the public can speak at the beginning of the meeting on any issue that is not related to the City Council agenda.

Council members were split on the issue and voted 5-3 to alter the time of the open public comment section. Mayor Kevin Johnson and council members Kevin McCarty and Ray Tretheway opposed the change. Councilman Steve Cohn was absent from the meeting.

Johnson and Tretheway said it benefits the public to keep the open public comment period earlier in the evening. Councilwoman Lauren Hammond, meanwhile, strongly supported the move.

“I think moving public comment to the end hurts transparency and council access, and I think it’s disrespectful to the public,” Johnson said.

City Council meetings start at 6 p.m., and citizens often participate in open public comment period before 7 p.m. Now, citizens who want to speak on off-topic issues will need to wait until the end of the meeting. City Council meetings vary in length; some meetings have run for several hours.

Tretheway said public access to the open comment section of the council meetings would be limited because of Regional Transit’s cuts to light rail night routes.

Tracie Rice-Bailey, an advocate for the homeless population, said moving the comment period would be “so very inconvenient for our people.”

Rice-Bailey is an activist with Safe Ground Sacramento, a group that lobbies city leaders to designate a public space in which homeless people could legally camp.

Safe Ground supporters regularly advocate for their cause during the open public comment period of City Council meetings.

Councilwoman Lauren Hammond, meanwhile, said that moving the section to the end of meeting could make the meetings quicker. “My hope is that our meetings won’t be as long,” she said.

Hammond also said that “special interests” dominate the current open public comment time period. She did not identify the groups.

“It might be one group this month; it might be a neighborhood group another month,” Hammond said.

***
Council leaders also decided Tuesday to hold a monthly afternoon City Council meeting.

The council voted 7-1 to meet monthly at 2 p.m. Johnson opposed the idea of an afternoon meeting, saying that adding a meeting to the council’s plate would be inefficient.

Councilman Rob Fong said the afternoon meeting would enable to council to hold workshops and better manage its agenda. The council did not choose a day of the week for the monthly meeting.

Photo by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Light rail station closed for a month

2010-08-03T22:59:03Z

The light rail station at 12th and I streets closed Monday for renovation work and will reopen Sept. 7.

The most noticeable improvement will be the installation of an elevated ramp to replace the old wheelchair lift, making access to the train for people in wheelchairs much more efficient and quicker, said Alane Masui, spokeswoman for Sacramento Regional Transit.

“This is a major improvement for this station,” she said.

Other improvements include repainting, new seating and redone landscaping, Masui said.

Light rail users questioned Tuesday were in favor of the improvements.

“It’s hard for me to climb up the steps onto the train,” said Danny Frias, who walks with a cane and rides light rail every day. “I’ve got a bad back, and I always use the ramps when I can.”

Kathleen Andrews, who rides light rail every workday, said the temporary closure is a minor inconvenience, but well worth it.

“It’s going to be a major improvement,” Andrews said. “For a while, I needed to use a walker, and I couldn’t get off (at the 12th and I streets stop) without assistance.”

With the new ramp, she added, riders needing to use things like walkers and canes will be able to do so without help.

Average daily ridership for the station is 1,316 passengers, and Masui said they will still be able to use light rail, but will have to use either the station at 12th and D streets or the Cathedral Square station at 10th and K streets/11th and K streets.

“We don’t expect any delays in service on the light rail line,” Masui said, adding that construction won’t get in the way of trains passing through the temporarily closed station.

Funding for the approximately $190,000-project came mostly in the form of a grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments with almost $21,000 from Regional Transit Measure A funds, according to Masui.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Streetcar plan explained

2010-07-30T21:32:24Z

A study to map out a streetcar route linking Sacramento to West Sacramento is expected to start this fall, according to city Transportation Department spokeswoman Linda Tucker.

More than $400,000 in funding has been set aside for the study -- $310,000 from federal grant funds obtained earlier this year and $90,000 from local transportation funds, said Azadeh Doherty, a principal planner in the department.

The current plan for the streetcar includes a path in West Sacramento, but does not lay out a route in Sacramento. Under the most recent plan, the streetcar would run from West Sacramento City Hall, across Tower Bridge and stop in Old Sacramento at the foot of the bridge.

The city will consider ideas for a route in Sacramento in the upcoming study.

Tucker provided more detail about the study Wednesday in an e-mail to The Sacramento Press.

The Sacramento Press: Who will conduct this study?

Tucker: The City will conduct the study to explore the best route to serve the most riders on the Sacramento side of the river.

City staff from (the) Department of Transportation and the Economic Development department will co-manage the project with the help of a consultant team. We will post a Request for Qualifications for a consultant sometime in August/September. The study should get going this fall.

SP: Will the public and stakeholders be able to influence this study?

Tucker: Absolutely, there will be opportunities for public input through public meetings and a stakeholder advisory group of Sacramento stakeholders and residents. Key stakeholders are Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), developers, business owners and advocacy groups such as the Downtown Sacramento Partnership, Chambers of Commerce on both sides of the river, Regional Transit (which will operate the streetcar), public transit riders, bicycle and walking advocates and Old Sacramento, to name a few.

We’re looking forward to getting started to have the public and experts weigh in. The study will be a companion to our previous studies: the Bikeway Master Plan, Parking Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, General Plan, Regional Transit Master Plan, Township 9 and Railyards.

Once the streetcar study is completed, we will be able to do a comprehensive downtown circulation study next summer that will integrate all that was documented during these other studies completed in recent years.

SP: How will Caltrans be involved in the study?

Tucker: They are a stakeholder as they own the Tower Bridge, which will be the streetcar crossing. However, we do not expect they would have an inordinate amount of involvement merely because the funds passed through them from SACOG to us.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Sac to plan streetcar's route

2010-07-29T03:29:16Z

The city of Sacramento is back at the drawing board — literally — on its efforts to set up a streetcar connecting to West Sacramento.

A new study to plan the streetcar route in Sacramento has received $310,000 in federal grant funds.

An additional $90,000 from a local source will help pay for the study, according to a July 27 report from the city’s Transportation Department. The City Council signed off on the new funding Tuesday night.

“What we’ll be doing now is looking now more broadly at the best routes for that system on the Sacramento side,” Councilman Steve Cohn said Wednesday.

In the most recent plan, the streetcar would run from West Sacramento City Hall, across Tower Bridge and stop in Old Sacramento at the foot of the bridge.

City leaders learned earlier this month that the Sacramento/West Sacramento project would not receive the millions of federal dollars for which it had applied.

Cohn said one of the weaknesses of the streetcar plan was that it didn’t outline a route in Sacramento beyond Tower Bridge.

In the new study, the city will examine ideas for a route.

“The project focuses on connecting some of the most active destinations in the City of Sacramento including: the dense urban central business district, the vacant 240 acre Railyards redevelopment area, the emerging commercial, arts, and entertainment neighborhood in Midtown, the R Street corridor, the Sacramento State University campus and the Arden Fair Mall,” according to the Transportation Department’s report.

Cohn said he does not expect the city will have a decision on the final route after this study is conducted. But he said he wants to make headway on extending the route past Tower Bridge and connecting it with other forms of transportation, such as light rail.

The city’s report did not specify when work on the study will start. Read the report on the new funding for a streetcar plan here.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Changes to Regional Transit's routes affect many

2010-06-24T03:15:52Z

Sacramento Regional Transit cut 25 weekday routes and altered numerous others June 20. How is it affecting the daily riders?

Mary Glick, 50, takes bus 72 multiple times a week, a line that has been limited by the new cuts. She says she's restricted to what hours she works at her downtown Denny's now, but counts herself lucky to live so close to her house from her light rail station.

"It's kind of a bummer," she said. "Thank God it only takes me 40 minutes to walk home."

Regional Transit cut the routes to save money and provide a cushion forthe $25 million that was lacking in their budget. However, the cuts could cause even more loss to RT's income.

"I don't even know if I can keep riding," Sacramento City College student Rodney Alvarez, 20, said. "It's the way I get home at night, but I might just start grabbing rides from friends instead."

The altered routes are as follows:

Cut routes:

Weekdays - Routes 4, 9, 10, 18, 20, 36, 50E, 63, 73, 83, 89, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 107, 141, 142, 200, 201, 251 and 261

Saturdays - Routes 5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 24, 28, 54, 61, 65, 74 and 143

Sundays - 8, 13, 14 and 22

Stopped after 9 p.m.:

Weekdays - Light Rail (Blue and Gold Lines), Routes 1, 13, 14, 15, 21, 23, 30,38, 51, 56, 61, 62, 67, 68, 72, 80, 81, 82, 86, 87, 88 and 93

Saturdays - Light Rail (Blue and Gold Lines). Routes 1, 15, 21, 22, 23, 30, 51, 56, 67, 68, 81 and 88

Sundays - Light Rail (Blue and Gold Lines), Routes 1, 15, 21, 51, 56, 67, 68, 81 and 88

Many routes will have altered times of arrival and departure, some changing from every 15 minutes to 20 or 30 minutes:

Weekdays - Routes 1, 2, 6, 34, 38 and 61

Saturdays - Light Rail (Blue and Gold Lines), Routes 1, 30, 51 and 81

Sundays - Light Rail (Blue and Gold Lines), Routes 23, 30, 56 and 81

A few routes have had slight changes to their schedules:

Weekdays - Routes 74 and 75

Saturdays - Route 55

One was changed completely:

Weekdays - Route 28

For full details on individual routes, visit www.sacrt.com/schedules/current/routes.stm

Dyke Night kicks off PRIDE

2010-06-19T06:08:03Z

Sacramento's PRIDE 2010 kicked off with Dyke Night, an evening of music and entertainment on the west Capitol steps to lead into the new location of this year's festivities on Sacramento’s Capitol Mall near between the Tower Bridge and the Capitol building.

Here are some moments:

Two women in the audience respond to the performers on stage.

Allyn Pharo and her dog Sterling.

The crowd filled the lawn in front of the west Capitol steps.

Aurora (top and bottom) played to the crowd.

Emcee and Organizer Hilary Hodge keep the pace going throughout the evening.

Tina Reynolds, Equality Action Now, gave folks an update on Prop.8.

Dancers from Hot Pot Studios (above) moved their bodies slowly to the music and react after falling down (below).

Dean Brian Baker, Trinity Church participated with C. Foster and Jovi Radtke’s “Spoken Word”.

Jace and Brando performed with the Kings of Drag.

Other performers included Der Spazm and Sappho’s Serenaders.

For a copy of the official Sacramento PRIDE program:sacramentopride.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/sac-pride-program-only.pdf

The Sacramento Pride Festival will be held Saturday, June 19, from 10 am to 5 pm along the Capitol Mall Avenue.

SacPress Photos | Kati Garner

Sacramento Pride Grows Up to Role as California's Capital Pride!

2010-06-18T07:46:57Z

With an iconic new location--Sacramento's scenic Capitol Mall, expanded marketing efforts and a growing roster of prestigious corporate sponsors and exhibitors, the 26-year-old Sacramento Pride Festival is expected to break attendance records on Saturday.

The June 19 Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., attracting an estimated 10,000 visitors and bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of economic benefit to Sacramento’s downtown area. Festival admission is $10.

After a number of years at South Side Park, the Festival will move to Capitol Mall in 2010, where a street-festival layout sandwiched between the Tower Bridge and the State Capitol dome is expected to add novelty and cachet to “California’s Capital Pride.” Adding to the buzz are headline entertainers from New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, a new high-energy Amtrak Dance Pavilion featuring popular regional DJs, and give-aways including $50 in free play at Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, California State Fair and Village People concert tickets, music downloads from Masterbeat and more.

Featured on two live stages will be “Ru-Paul’s Drag Race” winner Bebe Zahara Benet, singer-songwriter and LOGO Channel star Joel Evan; musical comedy duo That’s What She Said (TWSS); and Kaylah Marin, whose dance remix single “On the Floor (Oh Baby Please)” hit #4 on the Billboard Club Play Charts. Local favorites include songstress Gwen McMillin, folk singer Joshua Macrae, and punk-soul-hip hop band RCWB (Rendezvous w/Cool Beans). A complete entertainment schedule is attached.

The Sacramento Pride Festival will kick off with a Pride Parade at 10 a.m., featuring State Assembly Speaker John Pérez as Grand Marshall. The parade will begin at the intersection of 7th and T streets and proceed on 7th Street to the Festival entrance at 7th Street and Capitol Mall.

An Opening Ceremony and ribbon-cutting will follow the parade at 11 a.m. on the Festival 4th Street Stage, featuring Assembly Speaker Pérez, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and other dignitaries.

Sacramento Pride would not be possible without the support of its generous corporate sponsors, including Title Sponsor Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel, Wells Fargo, Outword Magazine, Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, HP, Rainbow Pages, Regional Transit, Faces Nightclub, Barefoot Wine, Bud Light, JetBlue, WriteAway Communications Services, Infinite Entertainment, Uptown Studios, SMUD, Amtrak, CARES, Cheer SF, California State Fair, Power of Two Promotions, Lumens Light + Living, Safeway, IKEA, Sacramento News & Review, Curve Magazine and SF Weekly.

Sacramento Pride is produced by the volunteers and staff of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center and proceeds support Center programs and services, including youth services, adult discussion groups, HIV support services, transgender support services, a free weekly legal clinic, gathering space for local community organizations and more. For more information about Sacramento Pride, visit www.sacramentopride.org.

Sacramento Pride Reinvented

2010-05-09T00:45:50Z

This is not your daddy’s Sacramento Pride!

Sacramento Pride is making big changes in 2010, all aimed at transforming the annual regional celebration of LGBT culture and accomplishments into an event worthy of its new tagline, California’s Capital Pride.

The list of changes begins with the day-long Pride Festival’s move this year to Sacramento’s Capitol Mall. The Festival will be held Saturday, June 19, from 10 am to 5 pm. Sandwiched between the State Capitol dome on the east and the golden spans of the Tower Bridge on the west, the Festival’s move to the scenic city gateway is intended to raise visibility and emphasize the important role of the LGBT community in Sacramento and statewide.

The Festival’s move from Southside Park, where the festival has been held for the past several years, to Capitol Mall has been warmly received by city officials, who awarded the event an $8,100 City of Festivals Grant for the first time this year. “Sacramento’s LGBT community is essential to making this city a great place to live, work and play,” said Councilmember Ray Tretheway. “The State Capitol and Tower Bridge will be the perfect backdrop as thousands of people from throughout the state and nation gather to celebrate our capital’s annual pride festival.”

Also new in 2010:

An amped-up entertainment line-up, featuring several nationally-known acts as well as a robust slate of local talent at two stage locations. Entertainers confirmed to date include:
-- Season 1 winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Bebe Zahara Benet
-- Recording artist Kaylah Marin, whose dance remix hit “On the Floor (Oh Baby Please)” currently is #4 on the Billboard Club Play Charts
-- TWSS, or That’s What She Said, an L.A. musical comedy duo perhaps best known for the YouTube sensation, “U-Haul: The Music Video”
-- Singer/Songwriter Joel Evan, whose new hit single "Storm" is taking the dance clubs by storm.
A new Sacramento Pride Parade route, featuring a symbolic route reversal, beginning at 10 am at Southside Park (where it used to end)and ending at the entrance to the new Capitol Mall Festival grounds.
The high-energy Amtrak Dance Stage, made possible by a generous sponsorship from Amtrak.
An all-new Dyke Celebration. Scheduled for Friday evening, June 18, at the State Capitol West Steps, the event will feature a twist on the traditional “Dyke March” with a festive line-up of musical, dance, Drag King and spoken-word performances. Participants of all genders are invited to join the celebration of unity and equality.

Sacramento Pride 2010 will have the support of the largest number of corporate and non-profit sponsors in the history of the event, beginning with Title Sponsor Jackson Rancheria Hotel & Casino, Outword Magazine, Wells Fargo, The Hewlett Packard Company, Regional Transit, JetBlue, Barefoot Cellars, Safeway, Rainbow Chamber of Commerce of Sacramento, Rainbow Pages, SMUD, Amtrak, California State Fair, Uptown Studios, IKEA, BudLight, Lumens Light + Living, Infinite Entertainment, WriteAway Communications Services, Power of Two Promotions, CARES, Sacramento News & Review, and Cheer San Francisco. Outword Magazine publisher Fred Palmer, sales and marketing agent for Sacramento Pride, has been instrumental in attaining most of the event sponsors.

As always, Sacramento Pride is produced by volunteers and staff of the Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center, and proceeds support Center youth services, HIV support services, programs for transgender individuals, gay men and lesbians, a free weekly legal clinic and other services critical to the health and wellbeing of the LGBT community.

For more information, visit http://sacramentopride.org, or follow Sacramento Pride on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

City of Sacramento Earth Day Celebration a Big Sucess

2010-04-24T18:48:58Z

There were several Earth Day celebrations and events Thursday. One of the biggest and most successful was the official City of Sacramento Earth Day Celebration. The event was held at Cesar Chavez Park and in the plaza of City Hall. An estimated 3,500 people of all ages attend this years' event. It was supported by Mayor Kevin Johnson and the City Council. The City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Department organized the event.

I spoke with Neighborhood Services Department Director Vincene Jones. Jones and her staff started back in January giving early notice to Sacramento area schools, informing them of the event and its value as a field trip. Local media was enlisted to help get the word out. They worked with Regional Transit to secure 560 one-day free passes for bus and light rail. This allowed students to use public transit to and from the event in keeping with the values of Earth Day.

Staff had targeted junior high and high school students. It was obvious that there were large numbers of younger kids also. They especially stood out in the orange aprons given to them by Home Depot along with plants to take home for planting.

Home Depot had one of 59 booths. About 25 booths were commercial entities. The rest were city departments, other governmental entities, nonprofits, education and others. The 59 booths were an increase of about 35% over last year.

Mavis McAllister from American River College and Peggy Ursine with Cosumes River College were promoting Los Rios GreenForce. This is a program with all four Los Rios colleges that prepares students to work in green industries.

Ryan Bailey had a booth promoting Sacramento Sustainable Businesses. This included BERC, a free public service provided by Sacramento County, the city of Sacramento, Sacramento Utilities Departments and Sacramento Local Regulatory Agencies. They advise businesses on how to navigate all the complex environmental regulations.

City of Sacramento departments included utilities, promoting pollution prevention in waste water runoff, recycling, composting and one of several displays of worm bins. City employees Jamie Cutlip and Karl Kurka operated a booth promoting the city's Create a Sustainable Sacramento program. Bill Maynard, who works tirelessly at events like this, was giving out tomato plants as part of the city of Sacramento Community Garden Program.

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District booth was a great hit with the kids. There were live displays of all stages of mosquitos and mosquito fish that eat them The kids were having a great time watching the mosquito fish eating mosquito larva. Kevin Valone and Steve Ramos with Vector Control said that this was one of the best turnouts for any of the venues they have been to. They were especially pleased with all kids asking them questions. They said they have found it best to educate the young kids to achieve their goal of protecting public health and welfare from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as West Nile virus, Western Equine Encephalitis, canine heartworm, malaria and others. In most cases, the kids go back to their families and educate them. This was a comment that was echoed by many of those presenting at the event.

There was also entertainment, with a message for the kids from Radio Disney, a performance from Top Class Magic and the Sacramento City College theatrical performance of the “Fall of X,” a play about the dangers of joining a gang.

Besides Home Depot, there were several other commercial green businesses or businesses with green products. These included Sacramento Natural Foods Coop, Costco, Propel Alternative Fuels, Green Sacramento Construction Services and several solar energy companies.

Jake Millan with Propel related a story about the power of kids. A man who came to his booth told him that he had recently purchased a flex fuel vehicle that would run on E85. When asked what prompted this, the man replied that his kids were so embarrassed and tired of getting teased when they were dropped off at school in the family Hummer they pushed the family to buy a more responsible vehicle.

Now I do not want to create the impression that the city of Sacramento Earth Day Celebration was only for kids. There were large numbers of downtown and state office workers asking questions and collecting information. I spoke with Rocklin Treasurer Kim Sarkovich and Mary Rister, one of her staffers. They were attending a conference on municipal finance. They said they were having a wonderful time visiting the event during their lunch break. They were particularly enjoying the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop booth. Part of Sarkovich's interest stems from her hobby as a suburban beekeeper.

All the people I spoke with who had displays at the event were very pleased with the turnout and response from the public. They expressed that Jones and her staff at Neighborhood Services were great to work with and that they were pleased with the commitment throughout the city government supporting a green and sustainable Sacramento.

Photos: 1. Welcoming kids to Sacramento Earth Day Celebration 2-3. City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Department 4. Ryan Bailey, Sacramento Sustainable Businesses 5. city Department of Utilities 6. Jamie Cutlip and Karl Kurka, Create a Sustainable Sacramento 7. Bill Maynard, Sacramento Community Garden Program 8. Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District employees Kevin Valone and Steve Ramos 9. Radio Disney entertains 10. Sacramento Natural Foods Coop 11. Dennis with Costco 13. A solar energy provider and Jake Millan in front of the Propel Alternative Fuels booth 12. Green Sacramento Construction Services 13. Kim Sarkovich and Mary Rister check out the Soil Born Farms booth with employees Randy and Jackie

Do public transit stops attract crime?

2010-04-21T16:44:52Z

Last week’s fatal stabbing of 68-year-old Bernice Nickson took place at a downtown Regional Transit stop.

While it would be hasty to let one incident determine RT’s entire reputation, the incident does beg the question: Are Regional Transit stops hubs for crime?

Alane Masui, assistant general manager of communications for Sacramento RT, said no. She said that when crimes take place on the street, transit stops are just easy landmarks to associate with the incident.

“It’s more of a perception than a reality,” she said. “When something occurs, people try to put the incident in context, and transit stops serve as regional landmarks.”

There are about 3,800 bus stops and 47 light rail stations in the Sacramento area. Masui’s point is that RT is all over the city, meaning it’s nearly impossible to draw a line determining where a “transit area” ends and a “non-transit area” begins. So a comparison of safety rates can’t really happen. It’s left to perception, not hard data.

Sgt. Norm Leong of the Sacramento Police Department said transit stops do attract crime, but he stopped short of singling them out as a problem.

“When you have people out walking, it creates a vulnerability,” he said. “But it’s no different than a nightclub closing or a concert getting out.”

He said there is an added danger now that so many people wear headphones in public, essentially putting their $200 smart phones on display for potential criminals to steal.

But Leong said criminals are foolish to break the law at RT stops because the stops have high-quality surveillance cameras. Bernice Nickson’s death was solved thanks in part to one such camera, which provided detectives a general description of the killer and his initial direction of travel after the stabbing.

Still, some riders believe crime is higher at bus and light rail stops. Daniel, a 23-year-old who declined to give his last name, is one of them.

“It’s the streets,” he said, sitting on his bike at the Eighth Street and O Street light rail stop. “I’ve seen people get jumped. At Power Inn I saw someone get his head beat in with a bat. And no one came for a while.”

"It's only at some stops," added Ashley, also 23, who said it has more to do with neighborhood than anything else.

"I'm comfortable," said 55-year-old Suzy Bonin, in reference to public transit as a whole. "At night ... it can get iffy."

Bonin says she might think twice before letting her teenage grandson ride alone, however.

According to a performance report on SacRT.com, there were 42 crimes on RT in January, which is about average for the past year. Those are felonies and misdemeanors, not minor infractions. RT’s worst month last year was March, with 74, and its best was December, with 36. The number of crimes January is down 11 from last year’s January total of 53.

Roger Dickinson, who is on the RT board of directors, agreed with Masui. He said transit stops are unfairly used as reference points for crimes that may actually have nothing to do with public transit.

“If someone gets stabbed a block away from a light rail station, the media still refers to the station,” he says. “Even if it had nothing to do with the genesis of the crime.”

So, are the stops dangerous?

Regional Transit said no -- it’s just perception. The Police said yes, but no more so than a nightclub or a concert. But at least RT stops have surveillance.

Leong said the whole discussion triggers a certain level of paranoia. But RT is still the best option for many commuters, and its shortcomings are just the price riders pay for the convenience of light rail and buses.

“What’s the alternative?" Leong said. "Don’t walk anywhere?”

- Photos by Brandon Darnell

Regional Transit lays off 37 employees

2010-04-20T02:42:41Z

If you're wondering how budget cuts go from abstract accounting to real life, read on: Below is the list of local Regional Transit bus routes that will cease to operate in June.

As part of its response to a budget crisis, Regional Transit laid off 37 employees Monday. An additional 14 employees accepted retirement incentives instead of layoffs, according to RT spokeswoman Alane Masui.

Monday's layoffs are expected to be followed by further job cuts; transit system officials plan to lay off about 200 employees in the coming months, Masui said. All told, RT is carrying out $11.7 million in cuts.

RT has not laid off employees since the early 1980s, Masui said, noting that the current and upcoming layoffs are "unfortunate" and "sad."

But it's not just jobs. Services will also be cut, which means fewer buses and slower light rail pickups. And nearly four dozen different RT bus lines will cease to operate on June 20.

Put simply: There will be a lot fewer buses running, and after the budget cuts are administered fully, the transit agency will no longer offer light rail and bus trips after 9 p.m. The cuts after 9 p.m. apply to trips that begin after 9 p.m., Masui clarified. Some trips that start before 9 p.m. will still finish their routes after 9 p.m.

RT will stop the following weekday bus routes: 4, 8, 9, 10, 18, 20, 36, 50E, 63, 73, 83, 89, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 107, 141, 142, 200, 201, 210, 226, 251, 261

The following Saturday bus routes will be cut: 5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 24, 28, 54, 61, 65, 74, 143

RT is slashing the following Sunday bus routes: 8, 13, 14, 22

Photos by Brandon Darnell.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Sac and West Sac hope to win federal grant for streetcar

2010-04-02T04:03:10Z

Efforts to establish a streetcar line between West Sacramento and Sacramento could advance if the project is awarded grant money from the federal government, West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon said last week.

The West Sacramento/Sacramento line is competing with other projects for a grant of up to $25 million for streetcars, he said.

If the project is selected, the funds would establish a line from West Capitol Avenue in downtown West Sacramento to 100 Capitol Mall, the location of the Embassy Suites in Sacramento, according to Cabaldon.

Both cities would like to run the streetcar to a variety of locations, he said, but initial funding would get the streetcar started.

West Sacramento and Sacramento have been working together on the project. Yolobus also is involved, Cabaldon said.

Which agency would operate the streetcar is unclear, but there is talk of working with Regional Transit, Cabaldon said, adding that he hopes to learn whether funds have been granted in a couple of months.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Transit takes center stage at District 1 debate

2010-04-01T06:00:23Z

Regional Transit wrapped up their talks about service cuts earlier this week, though there was still plenty of room for finger pointing and analysis at the District 1 Candidates Debate.

"Natomas is losing all routes on the weekends as my understanding," said candidate Angelique Ashby. "That means people have jobs elsewhere on the weekends and they are going to ride the bus, they can't do that anymore."

Ashby said she didn't understand why current District 1 Councilmember Ray Tretheway, who is on Regional Transit's Board of Directors, did not fight to keep a route in Natomas.

"I don't understand how he can let them all go," said Ashby. "We certainily pay into that tax system that provides that transportation. It seems to me it should be equal, and areas that have access to Light Rail should have been cut first. We don't have any Light Rail, but buses are the only public transportation that we have."

Tretheway responded saying no lines in North or South Natomas were cut except for one operating on the weekends.

"One goes through North Sacramento and ends up to Natomas Marketplace", said Tretheway. "That one was cut on weekends. All the rest I fought to restore."

Tretheway also elaborated on the Natomas Light Rail extension, saying it's been settled on going down Truxel Blvd for the last three to five years. Ashby opposes the Truxel Blvd plan.

"I believe that we will take care of the community, community center, and neighbors, and that Light Rail will be a public asset coming down Truxel", said Tretheway.

Efren Guttierrez, the third candidate in the debate, expressed his disappointment with Regional Transit.

"The line that you're talking about Ray is Line 13," said Guttierrez. "Line 13 runs down Northgate Blvd, and that is a working class neighborhood."

Guttierrez also discussed the problems working with other transit authorities over the years.

"We've been fighting with SACOG and Sacramento Transit Authority for years to deal with our problem of buses in this city," said Guttierrez. "We've seen this coming down the pipe."

Regional Transit board cuts: slower light rail, fewer buses

2010-03-30T05:48:05Z

Dozens of bus routes in the Sacramento region will vanish and light rail will slow down on the weekends as a result of sweeping Regional Transit budget cuts. The agency’s board of directors slashed bus, light rail and paratransit service Monday night to resolve a $10.6 million deficit.

One of the major budget fixes scales back night service seven days per week. The RT board decided that light rail, bus and paratransit trips that now begin after 9 p.m. will cease.

Public transportation will also be slower on weekends. Right now, light rail picks up passengers in 15-minute cycles during the weekend. The cuts mean that riders can catch the light rail every 30 minutes on weekends, explained Mike Wiley, RT’s general manager and CEO.

Cuts will take effect June 20.

While the board cut paratransit trips that begin after 9 p.m., that decision could be changed. Board Member Don Nottoli asked RT staff to look into ways that paratransit riders could take later rides.

Some paratransit riders expressed concern at the Monday meeting that they could be left on the street if they were out late.

Pamela Ross of Sacramento said that she takes paratransit late at night when she comes home from summer vacations. Ross, who uses a wheelchair and has two service animals, was worried that she wouldn’t have a paratransit ride home from the train station. She said she “really didn’t want to sleep in the train station at night.”

RT works with a private firm, Paratransit, Inc., to provide transit service for disabled residents.

The cuts yield $11.7 million, nearly $1 million more than the deficit, Wiley said. That extra million provides “wiggle room,” he said.

Wiley said that million-dollar cushion could be necessary because there are many assumptions in RT’s budget plans. The agency previously had a $25 million deficit, he said. The deficit number changed because recent state legislation moved $11.8 million to the agency. Before Monday, RT made more cuts and also found some new revenue opportunities, Wiley said. The state money, new revenue possibilities and new cuts brought the deficit down to $10.6 million, he explained.

However, the numbers are not set in stone, Wiley said. The new revenue possibilities — which include funds RT is hoping to receive from the federal government — will need to pan out.

An RT report for Monday’s meeting said the following weekday bus routes will disappear: 4, 8, 9, 10, 18, 20, 36, 50E, 63, 73, 83, 89, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 104, 106, 107, 141, 142, 200, 201, 210, 226, 251, 261

The report states that the following Saturday routes will end: 5, 6, 8, 13, 14, 16, 24, 28, 54, 61, 65, 74, 143

The following Sunday routes will stop service: 8, 13, 14, 22

Some bus routes will also have slower service on weekends.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Black Expo inspires Sacramento to go green

2010-02-22T04:59:47Z

As someone who enjoys fun and festive community events, I am more than happy to report on one of the best events in the area that took place over the weekend, the Black Expo. This was my second visit to the annual expo, which is held during Black History Month and provides a means of networking and showcasing the best of black business and culture.

I was eager to see what had changed between last year and this. I heard from some who can remember the expo's past, and it is heartening to learn that it has come a long way since it began 14 years ago.

No longer an obscure event with little fanfare or sponsorship, the Black Expo welcomed thousands of people over the weekend. More than 100 sponsors, exhibitors and vendors participated in the expo at the Convention Center, with its theme "Tapping our Green Power." The goal was to educate and call upon Sacramento’s black community to become more engaged in green technologies and resources, said Cheryl Brownlee, consultant and expo committee member.

“Each year we are trying to find ways to better inform our community about what’s happening, and this is our 14th year of doing this event, so we wanted to reflect what is happening in the future and green technologies reflect that,” said Brownlee. Companies such as SMUD, PG&E, Regional Transit, Caltrans, Los Rios Community College District, and General Mills are among major sponsors of this year’s expo.

“We feel it’s important to be here to increase our diversity efforts and give back to the community," said Holly Brown, Membership Representative of Schools Financial Credit Union in Sacramento. Those efforts toward environmentally friendly energy use are meant to accelerate the understanding of African Americans and others should have about the importance of a green-oriented economy.

The green theme was obvious from the displays in the exhibit hall as well as the countless Black Expo “Tapping Our Green Power” bags on people's arms. What representatives of the expo such as Brownlee want people to know is that the need for more information and a change in environmental policies, investments and funding sources is essential. Such changes, she emphasized, will lead to more jobs and a better economy for everyone.

However, not everything at the expo was about going green. Some highlights: a keynote address by Susan Taylor, the National CARES Mentoring Movement founder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Essence Magazine; the Glory Awards, which honored several spiritual leaders for outstanding service; a community breakfast for leaders under the age of 30; and the Stars of Tomorrow talent show. The weekend’s events also included business and job workshops, kids and crafts activities, and a gospel program on Sunday.

And most important, what is a good community event without good food? There were several options, including Minnie’s Cornbread House, El Shaddai Liberian food, G-Dubbs Barbeque and Healthy Eats. The food lines were never short but kept moving, making for easy sampling of tasty dishes.

Those who missed this year's Black Expo should plan to attend next year's. It's a thought-provoking and community-building event.

K Street Renovation Progress

2010-02-19T22:04:16Z

After months of delay, officials say the K Street renovation project is on course for completion.

The streetscape renovation includes the installation of intersection and gateway elements, lighting, landscaping and benches through the 700 block of K Street.

According to project details posted by the city's Economic Development Department, the project is aimed to enhance the aesthetics and safety of the block, as well as provide for better pedestrian accessibility and increased connectivity.

The makeover, a joint undertaking of the city and Sacramento Regional Transit, was projected to be completed in November, in time for the holidays. However, construction delays forced the Midtown Business Association to relocate Sacramento's seasonal ice-skating rink from its traditional spot at the park to a new location on 20th and J Streets.

"The lengthened construction period has been a result of unanticipated construction delays and weather," said project representative Denise Malvetti. "The park was substantially completed in November prior to the Downtown Sacramento Partnership's Carnival."

The recent weather shift is good news for Downtown pedestrians anxious to see the project completed.

"We have had great weather for over a week and are on track to complete the job in the next couple of months," Malvetti said.

Black Expo serves as showcase for Black community in Sacramento

2010-02-16T20:14:24Z

When it comes to a showcase of events from Sacramento’s black community there is only one event that stands out and that is the annual Sacramento Black Expo exhibit held at the Convention Center this weekend from February 19-21. From people shopping to vendors selling goods it’s a chance to experience a lot of what the culture of African-Americans is all about. Whether its business, health, spiritual, finance, fashion, music, food, and education there is something for everyone.

Among special events include a “Youth Talent Show”, “Glory Awards”, Soul Food and Exhibitors”, and “Gospel Sunday Program”. There will be a host celebrities and personalities in attendance. Major sponsors include SMUD, NAACP, Wells Fargo, McDonald’s, Regional Transit, PG&E, Comcast and others.

For more information or if you interested in becoming a vendor/exhibitor contact Lesley Leatherwood at (916) 838-9467 or Pleshette Roberston at (916) 470-2337.

A glimpse into Sacramento RT's current fiscal crisis, from an Operators perspective

2009-06-17T07:24:23Z

"When are the Operators going to get a furlough day?"

Hearing that question from one of Regional Transit's Admisistrative staffers who happens to be a close friend of mine, I had to pause and chuckle.

The powers that be at Regional Transit have taken on the arduous task of bridging a 9 Billion dollar budget defecit, and that ain't no easy fix.

Furloughs, hiring freezes, unfilled vacancies....the list goes on and on but makes nigh a dent......See, the problem lies with how Regional Transit recieves, and in turn allocates funds from the Fed's and the State.

Why are we facing service cuts and possibly layoffs? Simply put, our Operational bucket is almost empty while our Capital Bucket overfloweth....to a certain degree.

Operational expenditures are a world away from Capital expenditures, and one can't, by law be used for the other.

All the shiny new busses were a capital expenditure. The "Green Line" to Richards Blvd. is a capital expenditure. The South Line to Consumnes River College is a capital expenditure. The McClellan bus facility is a capital expenditure. The Lumberjack project is a capital expenditure........the list goes on and on and on.

What is the point in making all sorts of capitol improvements when the operations are not able to sustain the level of service planned for such improvements?

At the end of the day, Regional Transit is a Bus and Rail Company. Our job is to move people.

We are not a Real Estate Company, Law Firm, Social Service Outlet, or Soda Vending Machine Company.

As for my friend, I don't know what Regional Transit's Admin's would do without Operators.......No Operators means no Operator related paper to push.

Sacramento Regional Transit's continuing budget woes

2009-05-29T06:24:21Z

In January 2008, Sacramento Regional Transit cut bus service 5 percent in order to balance the 2008 fiscal year budget. To balance the 2009 budget, RT eliminated the free rides for Paratransit-qualified riders, raised the price of monthly passes from $85 to $100, daily passes from $5 to $6 and single fares from $2 to $2.25.

Now for 2010, RT is again standing in a budget hole looking for a way out.

Monday evening, RT staff will present its proposals for balancing the coming year's budget and get some direction from the district's Executive Board Committee on whether any of these ideas will fly when the issue gets a public hearing before the full board on June 8.

The fare increases that took effect in January aren't generating as much cash as staff had hoped. It is now estimated that fare revenues have fallen $2.6 million below the levels anticipated when the fare increases were adopted. Fare revenue in 2010 could be as much as $3 million below earlier projections.

The decline in RT's share of Measure A sales tax revenues combined with the fare shortfalls has dug a $9.0 million hole in the coming 2010 budget.

What to do? Fare hikes and other potential changes are in the works, including the possible elimination of the lifetime pass, the free ride RT offers to residents who are age 75 and older.

First the handicapped and now the elderly. Children next?

Actually, RT hasn't given up its efforts to balance the budget on the backs of the handicapped. Staff are suggesting that the monthly Paratransit pass either be eliminated or the cost significantly hiked. Staff point out that the Paratransit monthly pass is not required by federal ADA regulations. And in the 18 years that the Paratransit monthly pass has been offered, there has been just one price increase – from $80 to $100 in 2003. During the same period, the single Paratransit fare has risen from $1 to $4.50. It's no wonder sales of monthly Paratransit passes have quadrupled since 2003.

I admit it's a cheap shot to suggest RT is picking on the handicapped and the elderly. None of RT's riders will be spared as staff look for ways to fill the budget hole. Well, that's not completely true either. Staff haven't tried to resurrect the twice-rejected parking fee proposal. But everyone else will have to contribute if RT is going to balance its budget.

Staff are proposing single fares increase from $2.25 to $2.50 and the discount fare from $1.10 to $1.25. The daily pass would go to $6.50. Only the monthly pass would remain unchanged. RT wants to encourage riders who stopped buying the monthly pass after this year's price increase to start buying the monthly passes again.

But even those fare increases won't be enough to cover the 2010 shortfall. RT estimates $7.2 million in service reductions and other cost-containment options – a continuing hiring freeze and no wage or benefit cost increases in pending union contracts – will still be necessary.

The service cuts proposal deserves a separate discussion. Staff are proposing some interesting choices for the board.

Here's the staff budget report to the board

Sacramento to honor the bicyclist Thursday

2009-05-19T22:21:23Z

On Wednesday, May 14, Hot Italian gave out free slices of pizza. On Sunday, May 17, Chipotle gave out free burritos during a four-hour period. And through the end of the month, Lucca Restaurant and Bar is giving out dessert with a purchase of any entree and Morgan's Bar & Grill will be selling Pabst Blue Ribbon for only a buck and pitchers for $5.

But wait...there's a catch. All of these offers are only valid if you arrive at the eatery or bar via bicycle.

As part of Bike Month, local businesses have come together to encourage riding on two wheels instead of driving on four. The month is about to end but cyclists still have a chance to don their helmets and partake in the festivities; on Thursday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., BikeFest will be held on the West Steps of the State Capitol in a huge celebration of Bike to Work Day.

"Biking to work, school or just around town helps you save money and time, stay fit, and improve our air quality. Even better, bicycling is a fun way to travel, and a lot easier for many different types of trips," said Erik Johnson, the Public Information Coordinator for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACC).

SACC, along with Sacramento's transportation associations such as the Sacramento County Department of Transportation, Caltrans and Regional Transit along with many others have come together to organize and sponsor not only BikeFest but an entire month of honoring bicyclists.

On the morning of BikeFest, the Department of Regional Parks will be waiving parking fees along four entrances to American River Parkway. There will be energizer stations set up along the parkway with free coffee, juice and bagels for cyclists on their way to work from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The capitol's BikeFest will have over 40 exhibitor tables manned by bike shops, bike groups and public transit providers. There will be complimentary safe valet bicycle parking so that people are free to walk around as well as free bike safety checks. Any biker registered withmayisbikemonth.com who brings their printout of miles will receive a fruit freeze and raffle entry for a bike.

The six-county Sacramento region has set a month-long goal of its residents logging one million miles during May and as of Tuesday, May 19, close to 600,000 miles have been logged by 6,455 individuals with the numbers increasing every hour.

As part of a challenge posed to groups and organizations in the region, close to 900 businesses, over 80 schools and 250 bike clubs/teams have registered and set goals for the month.

In the large employer category (500 or more employees) Caltrans is leading with over 26,000 miles logged. The medium-sized employers (101-499 employees) are only a few miles apart with Department of Fish and Game leading over Sacramento's U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is leading the small employer category (one to 100 employees).

Those that have reached their goals will be announced at the end of May along with recognition of outstanding Commuters, Advocates, Employers and Students that will receive awards at both local and regional levels.

To track the progress of businesses and schools participating in the challenge and a list of organizations that will be at BikeFest visit mayisbikemonth.com.

Bus service cuts coming in September?

2009-05-12T04:21:07Z

Without a word of discussion, the Sacramento Regional Transit District board Monday evening unanimously approved a staff request to start the process required to cut bus service. Thirty-six weekday, Saturday and Sunday routes face reduction, realignment or elimination. Bus service cuts could begin as soon as Sept. 6.

"State funding in the Public Transportation Account (PTA) has been reduced, and RT's State Transit Assistance (STA) share of funding has declined to zero beginning in Fiscal Year 2010," according to the RT staff agenda background document. "This will continue into future years. At the same time, Local Transportation Funds and Measure A funding have also declined due to the reduction in sales tax receipts. RT's revenues have therefore been reduced substantially in the Fiscal Year 2009 and Fiscal Year 2010 preliminary budgets, meaning that RT may no longer be able to provide the same level of service as in Fiscal Year 2008."

On the block are 18 weekday routes, 12 Saturday routes, six Sunday and holiday routes and four supplemental routes.

These routes do not meet productivity standards. The standards are based on boardings per revenue hour. A route that's below 70 percent of peer routes is considered failing.

And that's not the worst of it:

"Due to the severity of the budget situation, staff is preparing to make an additional service reduction in January 2010 as well," the staff reported.

Weekday routes on the chopping block this year: 6,9,10,18,20,36,37,63,73,75,83,94,95,106,107,140,141,142

Saturday routes: 6,16,24,28,34,47,54,61,62,65,73,74

Sunday routes: 5,8,13,34,82,75

Supplemental routes: 205,249,251,261

After the first hearing, June 8, the board will be asked to adopt specific changes on June 22. At that same meeting, the board will be asked to set a hearing for the January 2010 changes. That hearing would be held July 27 and the changes would go to the board for adoption on Aug. 24.

On July 10, the district expects to take the September changes to its union, the Amalgamated Transit Union. On Oct. 2, the January changes would be delivered to the ATU.

The first cuts would take effect Sept. 6 and the second round on Jan. 3.

The agenda item from tonight's meeting is available here.

Surveillance: RT stations possible terrorism targets, police say

2009-04-24T06:59:29Z

The $615,000 the Sacramento Police Department will spend to purchase security cameras and related surveillance equipment comes from a pot of federal Homeland Security funds.

Mayor Kevin Johnson said earlier this week the surveillance equipment may be used at K Street and at Regional Transit stations.

But what is the connection between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Sacramento sites such as K Street and the local light rail stations?

Sgt. Norm Leong of the Sacramento Police Department said terrorism is a Homeland Security concern, but other threats fall under the definition of “Homeland Security,” as well.

“Transit hubs are naturally potential targets for terrorism,” Leong said.

Leong emphasized that the “homeland security” definition includes threats such as natural disasters, threats to public transit, and threats to high-traffic areas where mass incidents can occur.

He noted that the term “terrorism” isn’t limited to violence from other countries, adding that the 1995 Oklahoma City Bombing case was an example of domestic terrorism.

Major events and crowds can potentially draw terrorists, including in Sacramento, Leong said.

Federal funds will pay for the city’s new surveillance equipment, but the funds were awarded to Sacramento by the state. The California Emergency Management Agency receives federal Homeland Security funds, which it doles out to local governments.

The surveillance equipment system Sacramento will buy with the funds includes 32 cameras and four mobile surveillance trailers, according to a copy of the Sacramento Police Department’s request to the state.

Precise locations for the equipment have not yet been selected, but Johnson said Monday that K Street and Regional Transit stations were the kinds of high -traffic and high -crime sites suitable for the new cameras.

The police department will work with the City Council and the public to choose sites, Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel said earlier this week.

Jay Alan, communications director for the California Emergency Management Agency, said the Homeland Security funds are used for multiple hazards that include terrorism prevention. He cited earthquake prevention and mitigation, and port security as some of the programs that are part of the Homeland Security program.

Asked about Sacramento’s light rail stations, Alan pointed out past terrorist events involving transit, such as the 2004 attacks on trains in Madrid, and the 2005 attacks on the London Metro.

Alan also echoed Leong’s comments, saying that if the city used surveillance equipment along the city’s Regional Transit stations, the equipment could possibly prevent terrorism.

The state gave the money to the city of Sacramento because the city’s project fit the Homeland Security guidelines, which apply to counterterrorism as well as to other security events, Alan said.

The surveillance equipment the city will purchase will also be used as a deterrent for crime and as an investigative tool, Alan said.

The city will hold a procurement process for the cameras and the other surveillance equipment, said Konrad VonSchoech, a spokesman for the Sacramento Police Department.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for the Sacramento Press.

Stimulating Transit

2009-02-09T22:51:54Z

Fears that the U.S. Senate would gut the stimulus money for transit in the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act" appear to have been unfounded. The Senate is preparing to vote on bill that essentially maintains the House-passed funding levels. The Senate final vote is expected by Tuesday, with the House and Senate conference starting soon after.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, "Transit funding is expected to remain at $8.4 billion and high-speed passenger rail funding will remain at $2 billion. Transportation programs in the Senate bill are funded as follows:

* $8.4 billion, urban and rural transit formula;
* $27 billion, highway formula;
* $5.5 billion, intermodal/discretionary program;
* $2 billion, high-speed rail corridor investments;
* $250 million, intercity passenger rail grant program;
* $850 million, Amtrak;
* $60 million, ferryboat discretionary grants;

Last week Sacramento Regional Transit General Manager Mike Wiley explained the importance of the stimulus package to RT during his monthly web chat.

"RT has been working closely with our funding partners, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, other transit agencies, and Caltrans, to identify projects that will benefit from the economic stimulus program. These projects are intended to provide improvements in our light rail and bus operations, improve transit user information systems, and help us accelerate service improvements such as limited stop (express) services. We are still unsure about how much funding will be provided, but RT is ready to 'hit the ground running' when the funding becomes available. We anticipate that the stimulus package will be signed by President Obama before February 15."

Furloughs, stimulus and DNA -- Let's chat!

2009-02-07T03:39:44Z

Sacramento Regional Transit General Manager entered cyberspace for an hour Friday for his monthly web chat. The full text of the session can be found here. What follows is a personalized summary, along with a little regrouping to make the story a little easier to follow.

Being the state capital and the home to so many state workers, it wasn’t surprising that the topic of furloughs was on the minds of several participants in the chat.

Wiley offered that RT won’t be giving Regional Transit staff extra three-day weekends. “No,” he said, “Furloughs only save money for Regional Transit if they are in concert with service reductions. We want to avoid an additional service reduction. The transit system is seeing huge increases in ridership. Cutting service when we are having these great ridership gains, doesn't make sense. Our goal is to trim everything else in an attempt to avoid service reductions and layoffs.”

He also explained that RT has been there, done that with service cuts: “Due to previous state budget cuts, RT cut 5 percent of unproductive bus service in January 2008. The $18.3 million loss of state funds for this fiscal year resulted in a fare increase effective January 1, 2009.”

Actually, Wiley said RT considered the furlough option: “The vast majority of employees at Regional Transit are drivers and mechanics. We have just enough people to provide the service we operate. If we furloughed employees, we are indirectly cutting service for those trips that would not operate. In the case of our mechanics, buses and trains not safely maintained are not operated. This would result in sporadic service cuts throughout the system. We don't think service cuts are the answer to our budget problems.”

Which is not to say RT isn’t trying furlough-like options. Said Wiley, “We are looking for budget savings everywhere they might be found. This included a detailed analysis of potential furloughs. Those that pencil out are being brought forward to our board for their consideration. Some, like a hiring freeze for most positions, have been in place for nearly two years. We are totally focused on keeping our costs under control and finding savings where we can. We will avoid service cuts as long as possible. “

As a transit enthusiast myself, I want to underline and clip and save this part of Wiley’s chat: “With the ridership numbers we are seeing, service expansion is what's needed for the underserved communities in the region.”

Wiley also explained that the state furloughs won’t be used as a justification for service cuts. “No,” Wiley said, “we've looked at running holiday service on the State Furlough days, but since they only reduce the number of bus runs during the day, and only 26 additional days in a year, the cost savings are minimal. On light rail especially, many more people than state workers would be inconvenienced if we reduced light rail service. We may be reducing the length of the trains on those days as demand could be some what less.”

Speaking of the length of trains, Wiley was asked, “Do you think RT can operate three-car Light Rail trains in the middle of the day? It seems the current two-car non-peak operation between rush hours results in overcrowding, especially around lunch time.”

Wiley replied: “We monitor the conditions on the light rail and buses, and have noticed that there has been an increase in crowding during the midday. We have to plan well in advance to change the number of cars. … If crowding persists, we will consider increasing the number of midday cars. This is limited, however, by the maintenance requirements on the fleet. … There is a cost to increase the number of cars. With the State of California still considering an additional $3.9 million raid on our budget we may not have the funding to add service.”

Before we get too far from the furlough question, I must include this question from a Citrus Heights resident: “Given that the State has now mandated Furloughs to its employees, has RT considered giving a further break in cost to its State employee riders to help out?”

Disclosure moment: I’m married to a state government manager. I’m not a disinterested party to the consequences of what is, in effect, a 10 percent pay cut state workers will swallow if furloughs continue. Still, I think Wiley was right:

“The state subsidizes the cost of state employees' tickets,” he said. “Since the subsidy is set at a maximum amount the state contributes, employees will be receiving a full monthly subsidy spread over fewer days. From RT's perspective we are loosing a large number of riders each day the state furloughs employees on top of the transit dollars the State is raiding to help balance the State budget. It's important to remember that the fare revenue we collect covers about 25% of our operating cost.”

While the state has been taking money away from RT, it looks Congress may soon throw some cash RT’s way: “RT will receive an as yet undetermined amount of funding under the stimulus package. We have worked closely with our regional partners to identify ‘ready to go’ projects that can help us improve service to the public without drastically increasing our operating costs. As you may have read, the stimulus package does not provide any new resources for operating costs. However, we have requested funding for projects that allow us to implement limited stop services, continue to work on a second bus maintenance facility, rehabilitate some of our stations, refurbish 21 light rail vehicles, upgrade our work trucks and equipment, and implement an electronic information system for our riders (automatic vehicle location, next stop announcements, electronic signs). We will know more about how much money we might receive when President Obama signs the stimulus package into law. The current projection is that he will do so before February 15.”

Specific “ready-to-go” projects identified by Wiley include accelerating the South Line light rail extension and other key capital projects. “These projects would have a positive economic and environmental impact on the Sacramento region, and could add new service and improve RT's infrastructure,” he said. “All of the funding we expect to receive will be utilized for our capital program. At this point we do not expect to receive any financial support to cover our operating cost. Consequently, we will not be able to restore bus service reductions implemented in January 2008.”

Not only can the stimulus not be used for operating expenses, but it won’t be useful for buying buses or light rail cars.

“The stimulus money is intended to support capital projects that are "ready to go" within 90 days from the date of enactment of the law. Unfortunately, it takes about 18 months to order buses, and about 2-1/2 years to order trains, unless we can tack-on to an existing bus or rail car order,” Wiley explained. “So, RT went through its capital program and specifically identified projects that we could both commit the funds to (get our Board approval for) and expend the funds on within two years, as required in the stimulus package. We are requesting funds to rehabilitate the 21 rail cars that we bought from Valley Transit a few years ago. These will provide us with the ability to improve our service with limited stop (express) operations on the Blue Line from Downtown Sacramento to the Watt/I-80 Station.

On the subject of the Folsom express light rail service, a Carmichael resident asked it if would be possible to do that with the existing tracks.

“We are making changes to the signaling system to enable the limited stop service,” Wiley said. “Limited stop service is a service where we stop at only the major the stations. This saves time for the riders.”

Help for this effort, Wiley explained in response to another question, will arrive from the settlement of the Highway 50 HOV lane lawsuit settlement.”

“RT should receive the money from the Highway 50 compromise this summer, which will allow us to begin procurement of parts and equipment,” Wiley said. “There is no track construction as such, because we are talking about having limited stop (express) service from the Historic Folsom Station and 15 minute frequency service from the Hazel Station to downtown. The funding from Caltrans will actually fund signaling, safety, and grade crossing improvements to make the limited stop service operational.”

An “Elk Grove, CA, CA” resident (we have to use euphemisms for those things) asked: “Many aspects of the stimulus bill seem to be under attack. Is there anything we as citizens can do to make sure transit gets a good share of the stimulus funding?”

“Recent amendments to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) include funding for transportation infrastructure projects that suggest significant increases in transit spending including funding for "ready-to-go" projects. … These amendments are up for debate in the Senate. Contact your senators today and urge them to support amendments to increase transit spending.”

And Folsom improvements and the South line extension aren’t the only places where things may be moving soon.

Someone from Portland , OR, asked, “Any long term plans about getting LR service to the airport?”

“Yes,” Wiley replied. “Only they are not so long-term. The RT Board of Directors directed staff to accelerate completion of the Downtown-Natomas-Airport (DNA) project as much as possible. We have therefore sped up planning for the project, with an anticipated completion date in 2017 for the connection to the Airport. This would coincide with the completion of the Airport's Terminal B expansion. As a "down payment" on this commitment, RT just this week released a Request for Qualifications for the design and construction of the first phase of the DNA, from 7th Street to Richards Boulevard. The projected revenue operation date of that segment is October 31, 2010.”

And to another question on the same topic, he added: “RT has made significant progress with the DNA line over the last several months. We are completing a project level Environmental Impact Report for the first segment from 7th and H to Richards Boulevard, and are planning to start the Federal environmental process on the rest of the line within the next year. This week, we published a request for qualifications for firms to bid on a design/build contract to design and build the first phase of the DNA. We are actively working with the City of Sacramento, the Railyards and Township 9 developments, and others, to clear issues along the right of way. Our goal is to complete the first phase, which we are calling "The Green Line", by October 31, 2010. We hope that we will have the funding to purchase and operate the Green Line using low-floor, universal access light rail cars, as a downtown circulator from our 13th Street Station all the way to Richards Boulevard.”

There’s more to read at the RT web site, but I want to end with this particularly useful exchange:

From Sacramento, CA: “Light Rail Door Alarms: The current buzzers that sound when doors open and close are really annoying. Can't we get a chime or tone that's a little less harsh on the ears?”

Wiley’s reply: “Actually, the buzzers are intended to be somewhat irritating.”

And you thought it was unintentional.

OK. That’s the Fox News version of what Wiley had to say. Here’s the SacramentoPress version:

“Actually, the buzzers are intended to be somewhat irritating so that people do not ignore them. They are a safety requirement, and they have to be audible even to persons with certain hearing impairments, so they know when the doors are preparing to close. It is actually a small irritation if it prevents someone from being injured by a closing door.”

Chatting with Mike

2009-02-05T16:32:30Z

Got a question about the operation of Sacramento's bus and light rail system? You can take your question right to the top Friday and ask Sacramento Regional Transit General Manager Mike Wiley directly.

Wiley will be answering questions in a live online web chat between noon and 1 p.m. at iportal.sacrt.com/WebApps/Onlinechat/

What was the thinking behind raising the monthly pass from $85 to $100? How is it determined where and when security personnel are assigned to the light rail? Can you make the 80 and the 84 every 30mins? Why doesn't RT offer free rides on Spare the Air days? Do you ride transit to work?

Questioners are anonymous. There's no registration requirements. To participate, you fill out a form that includes your hometown and the question. The web chat site opens for question submissions two hours before Wiley is scheduled to start answering at noon. You don't have to stick around to see the answer. Each session is archived on the site.

But this is not strictly a chat. There's no back and forth and no guarantee you'll get the answer you're looking for, as this exchange from last month illustrates:

Sacramento, CA: Why did you call this Chat? It is not chat! And you haven't answered my question. I understand if you are swamped. A chat room would be better as riders could share knowledge.

Reply: We created a tool similar to what Washington DC's Transit system uses that allow the community to ask their GM questions. The goal of this tool is to allow me to respond to questions from the public in an easy forum that is informative. In a traditional blog or chat the dialog is between the people logged in. So in keeping with our goal, please let me know if you have any questions about RT.

The chat sessions began last year in October and generally occur on the first Friday of the month. With the exception of a session back in November that focused on the district's Transit Master Plan, the chat sessions are open to any question about the operation of the district.

Elderly/disabled paratransit card RT riders rights violated!

2008-12-05T01:27:01Z

On December 1st, 2008 Regional Transit unlawfully, wrongfully, illegally implemented a policy against elderly disabled paratransit card riders in violation of their federal, state, civil and constitutional rights by charging fares that they have no right to collect.

Federal transportation code law 49 USCS 5310 J, states that individuals with disabilities and elderly individuals, "Are not required to pay a fare." On the upper right hand corner of the paratransit card it states, "No RT fare required."

Federal government policy is that elderly and disabled individuals have the same right as other individuals to use mass transit service and facilities pursuant to code 49 USC 5301d. Riders are not to be discriminated against due to age and disability via 49 USC 5301 code.

It could be reasonably considered wrongful financial seizure of elderly and disabled RT riders income pursuant to the 4th amendment. In effect regional transit riders are being deprived of their monetary property without due process of law, taken from them without just compensation, in violation of their 5th amendment rights.

Additionally they are being denied their 14th amendment equal protection rights under law, as they are under their 9th amendment rights.

It can also be reasoned that this constitutes cruel and unusual punishment against their 8th amendment rights to these protected class of elderly disabled riders under law.

Civil rights are to be honored, respected and upheld at all times as regards federal code 42USC 1983 and pursuant to California constitution Article 1 Section 7 that states "A person may not be deprived of life, liberty or (monetary) property without due process of law."

California State Public Utilities code 523 Subdivision B points to the fact that indigent destitute bus and light rail riders are all allowed free rate transportation in California.

United States federal government and Congress has mandated that "Ending transportation or continued increase in the cost to the user is undesirable, may seriously adversely affect welfare of a substantial number of lower income individuals pursuant to federal code 49 USC 5301 (5)."

Under aforementioned 49 USC transportation code, no person may be excluded from (monetarily) or discriminated against, by regional transit as RT receives federal government financial assistance.

California state code laws additionally prohibit such unlawful, arrogant conduct by RT, in deliberate indifference to the welfare, health, safety and well being, physically, emotionally and financially to its elderly and disabled Paratransit card riders.

California state law codes civil 51-54 prohibit discrimination and interference and enjoyment of rights in all forms against elderly and disabled riders. California government codes 11135, 4500 prohibit discrimination also against such riders. Gov't 500 code allows disabled riders access to RT transportation without financial monetary hinderance nor interference.

Gov't codes 12955 and 12948 prohibit RT interference in usage, exercise and enjoyment of elderly and disabled Paratransit card holders' rights.

It is a conflict of interest under government codes 82014 and 87300 for RT to request that elderly and disabled Paratransit card holders pay fares in violation of federal and state laws that state otherwise.

Under government code 815.6, Regional Transit has a mandatory duty to protect it's elderly and disabled riders from fare payments entirely. It can also be reasoned that under 835.6 and 840.2 that as a public entity RT is liable for its wrongful acts and omissions that jeopardize the physical and financial health, safety and well being of its riders wrongfully, needlessly, recklessly endangering them.

One could surmise via penal code 368, elderly financial abuse has been initiated by RT and under penal codes 518 and 519 extortion of elderly and disabled RT card riders is taking place and ongoing.

Regional Transit has a mandatory duty under California Code of Civil Procedure 1708, not to enfringe on elderly and disabled paratransit card holders' rights by outright blatant theft, violating penal code 484(a) in wrongful taking, confiscating riders' monies under false pretenses.

Under civil code 1709 RT is liable for its deceitful actions.

RT shall not engage in its conflict of interest real or apparent as stated in Welfare and Institutions Code 9538(a) as services for the economic and personal well being shall be fostered pursuant to W and I Code 15600(f) as under W and I 15610.30(a12) RT takes monetary property of said riders with intent to defraud.

It can be argued in my opinion the unlawful financial monetary restraints RT currently places on its disabled and elderly riders is a form of financial kidnapping pursuant to federal code 18 USC 1201.

I call this to your attention dear reader so that you may be informed properly of the federal and state law violation perpatrated against, some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially those who ride RT. I hope that you or anyone of those you know may assist in taking any and all concrete steps necessary, legally and personally, to rectify this unjust financially devastating actions promoted by RT against those who can ill afford it most and for those who are far more deserving of better treatment than that shown them by RT.

Off track, Amtrak parking

2008-11-03T10:22:29Z

Our office, The Sacramento Press office, is located at 431 I Street right next to the Sacramento Valley Station. We share a parking lot with the train station.

Parking at this location is not a pleasant experience. The lot serves as parking for our building, the train station and often times the Sacramento Federal Court house.

Most days I choose not to drive to work, firstly because I prefer to use the very convenient light rail option, but secondly because the parking situation is so terrible.

By 10 a.m., the lot is almost certainly full and the few remaining spots are almost always 2 hour spots, not suitable for those hoping to park and ride the train.

After finally finding a spot most travelers are unaware that the most difficult aspect of parking still lies ahead, the parking kiosks. While there are small black signs sprinkled throughout the lot that inform people to remember their space number, that fact often goes overlooked.

Many times I will assist parking lot patrons who have not remembered their space number. Then there are those who remember their space but assume that the letter 'C' on each spot is a part of the number. 'C' in this case stands for "Compact" but try and tell that to a frustrated motorist who can't locate the letter 'C' on the keypad of the kiosk.

And last but not least is the question that almost every person has but is mentioned nowhere in the parking lot; do you need to put your parking slip in your car?

The answer seems to be no, but I will consult the City of Sacramento and find out all the facts.

Until then, share your troubles parking in the Amtrak parking lot in the conversation below. Do you have different problems than the ones mentioned above? Do you have any suggestions for how the lot might be improved?