Haley Ausserer-Zelaya

The meeting commenced with the determination of a quorum for the participating entities: City of Davis, City of West Sacramento, City of Woodland, City of Winters, and Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District. Key agenda items included updates on the Short-Range Transit Plan (SRTP), where the board requested additional public outreach regarding funding scenarios, and an update on the Yolo Active Transportation Corridors Plan (YATSI), which is nearing completion with an implementation strategy being developed for major projects. An update was also provided on the transit operations contract procurement, noting that four strong and competitive bids were received, suggesting that a new contract could be accommodated within the existing service level scenarios. Finally, the committee discussed amending the 2026 meeting schedule to add a special meeting in April to review the evaluation panel's recommendation for the transit operations contract prior to board submission.

The meeting commenced with a brief session during which no reportable action was taken. Following roll call, public comments were solicited for items not on the regular agenda. A significant portion of the discussion involved reporting key takeaways from previous November meetings of the Goldrunner Joint Powers Authority and Capital Corridor Joint Powers Board concerning schedule changes implemented on December 8th, returning Capital Corridor to pre-pandemic service levels. The directors reviewed and adopted the consent calendar, with one member noting conflicts on items 6C and 6F regarding a date correction. The regular agenda focused heavily on the Short Range Transit Plan, including a review of board input supporting a conversion to a frequent service model, consolidation of overlapping routes, and relocation of the Woodland transfer point. Presentations outlined route recommendations and financial scenarios (reduction scenarios and an aspirational scenario) for the transit plan, detailing proposed changes such as increasing service frequency to 30-minute headways on local routes in Woodland, Winters, and West Sacramento, and routing adjustments in Davis and Downtown Sacramento to avoid detours and serve new state office buildings and a new Kaiser hospital. Next steps involve developing an implementation plan coordinated with operations and finance teams.

The board meeting commenced with roll call and approval of the agenda. General public comment included a report from a member regarding significant locomotive repair needs affecting the Northern California pool of fleet, which impacts Train 713 and 714, and also affects the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. Positive news included Sacramento State University securing $50 million from Meta Incorporated to convert vacant state buildings into a downtown campus, potentially enabling a one-seat ride from Yolo County jurisdictions to the new campus. The board then discussed the structural financial deficit, estimated between $5 to $8 million annually, which is attributed to increased costs from the new transit operations contract, potential fleet replacement funding shortfalls given the federal stance on zero-emission vehicles, and anticipated decline in federal transit dollars. The board is exploring six options for increasing revenue to address this deficit and preserve transit service. The first option discussed involved increasing the share of federal funding received from the Sacramento Urbanized Area (UA), Woodland, and Davis, noting ongoing negotiations for the Sacramento UA share and the current funding distribution for Woodland and Davis.

The primary discussion focused on updates regarding key projects and the proposed service plan for the FY 2324 budget. Strategic planning was temporarily paused to allow new board members to orient themselves, with plans to revisit the topic later in the year. Key elements of the proposed service plan included increasing service hours by approximately 9,100 hours, improving Route 42a and 42b to 30-minute service all day, restoring pre-COVID service levels for West Sacramento local routes, and adding service to Davis Express routes 43, 44, and 230. Discussions also covered the YOLO 80 project, where the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is scheduled for release in June, and work is progressing on establishing tolling authority, with a goal of applying by the end of 2023 for a regional tolling authority. A significant portion of the meeting addressed the use of Federal stimulus funds, specifically the $4.4 million of CARES Act funding proposed for the upcoming budget, and the future impact when this one-time funding expires. In response to community feedback, the plan includes reinstating the Route 44 South Davis Express service. Operational updates indicated improvements in workforce reliability with the current transit operator, Transdev.

The meeting commenced with the roll call and approval of the agenda. Public comments were taken on items not on the agenda or the consent calendar. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a presentation reviewing the accomplishments of 2025, noting 650,000 rides, an 8% increase in ridership over 2024, an 18% growth in Belline ridership, $20 million in secured grants, and the purchase of three new buses. Service restoration efforts, including morning/evening service in West Sacramento and expansion of Davis Express routes, were highlighted. The board discussed collaboration with other entities regarding transit access for the A's games. Funding wins included a $3 million SP125 grant and a $30 million state grant for zero-emission buses and shelter improvements. Progress on the YOLOTI Active Transportation Corridors and the Short Range Transit Plan was detailed. Significant steps were taken on the Woodland Transfer Point location and the kickoff of the Rural Transportation Needs Study. An RFP was issued for transit operations contracts, attracting six interested firms. The executive director and board members expressed appreciation for the outgoing chair's leadership and acknowledged staff promotions and new hires. Board members provided reflections on the past year, emphasizing the need to finalize the Short Range Transit Plan and the operations RFP.