RT to Hold Public Hearing on Monday, June 22
Board of Directors Expected to Approve Fare Increases and Service Reductions Proposed for September 2009

In response to the state of California's elimination of $26.2 million in State Transit Assistance funds and a severe decline in local sales tax revenue projected for the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) in Fiscal Year 2010, RT will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed fare changes for implementation on September 1, 2009. The public hearing will be held on Monday, June 22, 2009, at 6 p.m. in the RT Auditorium located at 1400 29th Street (at N Street).

The RT Board of Directors will receive public comments on potential changes in all fare categories. In an effort to close the gap on a projected $9 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2010, RT staff will present cost-saving measures and recommendations for fare structure changes and increases.

The fare change public hearing follows the service change public hearing, which was held on June 8, 2009. Service changes proposed for implementation on September 6, 2009, may result in a 7 percent reduction of bus service.

On June 22, RT staff will request approval of fare changes for implementation on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, and service changes for implementation on Sunday, September 6, 2009. The most recent fare increase was implemented in January 2009, and the most recent service reduction was implemented in January 2008, which cut five percent of low productive bus service.

RT is managing the complete elimination of State Transit Assistance funds through Fiscal Year 2013 and a projected $24 million loss of local sales tax revenue for Fiscal Year 2010 by continuing to control labor and non-labor costs, and identify additional sources of revenue to absorb this shortfall. A combination of fare increases and service reductions could potentially save $4.9 million.

"With the complete elimination of State Transit Assistance funds for the next five years, it is clear that RT can no longer depend on support from the state of California," Mike Wiley, General Manager/CEO, stated. "In response to the nearly 50 riders who testified at the public hearing on June 8, RT staff is continuing efforts to maintain service and minimize service reductions. Many riders voiced their concerns about the negative impacts of service cuts and indicated their willingness to contribute more through slightly higher fares."

Fare change comments may be submitted in writing to the RT Finance department at P.O. Box 2110, Sacramento, CA 95812-2110 or by e-mail to ltyler@sacrt.com.

The staff reports for the June 22 board meeting and public hearing are scheduled to be posted on the RT Web site on Wednesday, June 17. For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.