(WEST SACRAMENTO) -- Councilwoman Dawnte' Early wanted to know why local transportation service numbers are down.
Councilwoman Dawnte Early at the Nov. 5 West Sacramento Council Meeting
At the Nov. 5 regular council meeting, Early and Councilwoman Norma Alcala had questions after a presentation by the Yolo Transportation District (TD).
"What happened in Bryte and Broderick?" Early asked regarding the nearly 35% decrease in ridership reported by the TD. "I figured it was Via."
Via partners with West Sacramento, providing on-demand rides throughout the city after receiving Clean Air Funds, offering free rides in the pilot service area, according to the city website. The service began in 2024 and continues with service to Downtown Sacramento.
When considering the reroutes, particularly in the morning, Early is curious why someone would take Yolo TD and not Via.
The answer, fixed routes are considered more reliable based on local surveys. Listed under Community Development, in the meeting agenda, the TD presented draft recommendations for a Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP) between 2024 and 2031 for West Sacramento.
Yolo County Transportation District slide presentation of Short-Range Transit Plan
The new plan consolidates Routes 40, 41, and 240 into a new Route 38, with a 30-minute frequency, and adjusts Route 37, while increasing reliance on VIA ride-share coverage.
The proposed plan has goals: provide high-quality transit service and an attractive mode of transportation; improve access opportunities to Yolo County workers; provide a transit service contributing to environmental sustainability and climate resiliency; offer a seamless travel experience; and give a service that is financially sustainable by efficient allocation of resources.
Proposed Yolo route change at Nov. 5 meeting
But beyond goals remains doubt.
The OpGov.ai platform highlighted Councilwoman Early's concerns about the same here.
"Council Member Early critically questioned the YOLO TD plan's financial viability, its assumption of 'revenue neutrality', the ongoing competition between fixed-route services and VIA, and the potential adverse effects of reduced fixed-route access on the Bright Broadick neighborhood, requesting a separate presentation on reduction scenarios," the OpGov.ai platform reports.
Yolo County Transportation District slide presentation to West Sacramento, Nov. 5
A three-page recommendation document, offers background and analysis on the issue stating "right now, there is no convenient way to take Yolobus from the northern part of the City to the southern part of the City without having to transfer at the West Sacramento Transit Center."
The analysis continues, noting "the fast-growing Bridge District is not served by transit."
A new route according to the document, will not only offer transit connections to the district and other areas, "a proposed service change, there will be a new north-south Yolobus route allowing a one-seat ride from River City High School, through the Bridge District, Sutter Health Park, Broderick-Bryte, all the way to the Walmart/Ikea shopping center in the northwest corner of the City."
Towards the end of the analysis, it notes, "for a number of travelers who use the existing routes, they will need to change their current route."
Yolo County Transportation District slide presentation to West Sacramento, Nov. 5
Dawnte wanted more details.
"So with Route 38, you would have to walk farther to get to the fixed-route location," Early asked.
Again, she is told yes in some cases, and a TD survey shows people are willing to walk farther to reach a fixed route.
"The data doesn't seem to support that, per se, and that is part of why it is being proposed that you would cut routes 40 and 41 because of the drops in ridership, right?" Early said and asked.
The councilwoman made it clear that as long as Via remains, the neighborhood is served, but if not, then what? While she says she wants to trust the proposal, "it just doesn't make sense," according to Early.
"I am challenged with the premise of this," Early said. "That is what I would say for now."
Early thanked TD Executive Director Autumn Bernstein for being present.
Yolo County Transportation Executive Director Autumn Bernstein, far right
Early was told that the board of directors is considering all funding scenarios for the proposal at an upcoming December meeting.
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