SACRAMENTO – Change is coming to local public transportation and Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) wants to know if riders see it as moving “forward” or backward.

SacRT, which operates the primary regional bus and light rail system, is currently seeking comments on a service equity analysis, prepared in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Title VI equity analysis examines the impacts on minority and low-income populations from the SacRT Forward project, which is a complete redesign of the SacRT bus network. SacRT has been taking comments on this project since December 10, 2018, and will continue to take comments until at least February 25.

All comments received before Monday, February 18 will be presented to the SacRT Board of Directors on February 25, along with revisions to the draft plan, which includes redirection of a great many bus lines as well as elimination of others.

Members of the public are invited to comment on the plan itself or the Title VI equity analysis, which focuses on the effects of the project on disadvantaged populations, and which is required by Federal law and SacRT policy as part of any major service changes. The transit company calls its SacRT Forward project “a fresh look at redesigning the entire SacRT network, with a goal of making the system simpler and easier to use.”

The Title VI equity analysis also examines the impacts on minority and low-income populations from improvements to weekend light rail headways which took effect on January 6, 2019. Interested parties are welcome to comment on either project, or both.  

The 16-page report is available online at www.sacrt.com. More information is also available at sacrt.com/sacrtforward. Local riders have also been expressing their thoughts on the changes at a number of community open houses.

The meetings continue this month with open houses planned for Tuesday, February 19 at 6:00 p.m. at Kennedy High School, 6715 Gloria Drive, hosted by the Pocket/Greenhaven Neighborhood Association and Wednesday, February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Valley Hi-North Laguna Library, 7400 Imagination Parkway, hosted by the North Laguna Creek Neighborhood Association.

Those wanting to express their concerns about proposed transit changes can also do so by mail. SacRT asks that mailed letters by sent to its SacRT Planning Dept, attention James Drake, P.O. Box 2110, Sacramento, CA 95812-2110. Calls can be made to the SacRT Customer Advocacy Department at (916) 557-4545 or TDD: (916) 483-HEAR (4327).

By Genoa Barrow | OBSERVER Senior Writer