IN THIS EDITION:

• STA Board Adopts Budget to Fund 22 Plans, 13 Projects, and 26 Programs
• STA Board Approves Allocation of State Transit Assistance Funds (STAF) Population Based Funds for Solano Express, Solano Mobility Programs, Capital Projects, and Planning Projects
• STA Board Approves FY 2024-25 Solano Express Intercity Funding and Cost-Sharing Plan and Solano Express Intercity Bus Replacement Capital Plan Update for Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and 82 Lines
• STA Continues Successful Employer/Commuter Programs: Solano Mobility Programs 3rd Quarter Report for FY 2023-24
• STA Board Approves Over $900,000 of TDA Article 3, TFCA, Bike/Ped, and Air Quality Funds
• Get Involved with STA Advisory Committees
• STA Staff Update

STA Board Adopts Budget to Fund 22 Plans, 13 Projects, and 26 Programs

The Solano Transportation Authority (STA) Board approved the updated budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 and initial budget for FY 2025-26. The budget is focused on funding all components of the STA’s 61-item Overall Work Plan, which was adopted by the STA Board in June, and funds 22 Plans, 13 Projects, and 26 Programs. The amended budget for FY 2024-25 totals $72.68 million and reflects updated revenues and project expenditures for planning, projects, and programs.

The FY 2025-26 budget is a new $51.24 million budget which was presented to the Board for the first time on July 10, 2024. 

STA Board Approves Allocation of State Transit Assistance Funds (STAF) Population Based Funds for Solano Express, Solano Mobility Programs, Capital Projects, and Planning Projects

State Transit Assistance Funds (STAF) funds provide funding for mobility programs, special projects, and contributions to other agencies that serve the residents and employers of Solano County.

On July 10, 2024, STA staff brought the recommendation to the STA Board of $8,085,277 of STAF Population-Based Funds for Fiscal Year 2024-25 to support Solano Express and fund a comprehensive list of Solano Mobility Programs, one-time Planning projects, and Capital Projects based on the prior STA Board approval of the STA Overall Work Plan. 

STA Board Approves FY 2024-25 Solano Express Intercity Funding and Cost-Sharing Plan and Solano Express Intercity Bus Replace Capital Plan Update for Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and 82 Lines

On July 10, 2024, the STA Board approved the Cost-Sharing Plan and Solano Express Intercity Bus Replacement Capital Plan, guaranteeing SolTrans 45,000 revenue service hours for the Solano Express Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, and 82 bus route-lines in the 2024-25 Fiscal Year.

Additionally, the Board approved the purchase of 16 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) engines for Solano Express buses. The authorization of this purchase will allow SolTrans to replace a portion of their diesel fleet, a major source of pollution, with CNG engines that are a solution to high oil prices and high exhaust emissions. CNG is clean burning gas and would reduce the amount of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions released into the atmosphere.

STA Continues Successful Employer/Commuter Programs: Solano Mobility Programs 3rd Quarter Report for FY 2023-24

STA’s Solano Mobility Employer/Commuter Programs recently completed its 3rd quarter annual report update. Some of the highlights are:

Employer Program:

• Partnership with Solano County Economic Development Corporation reaching 60 employers

Commuter Programs:

• Amtrak Lyft Program continues to grow, surpassing Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 with 30 participants through quarter 3
• Commute Solano on track to match last year’s active participation, with almost 500 commuters
• First/Last Mile surpasses last year’s overall total registrants, with 1634 active users
• Solano Express Guaranteed Ride Program nearly doubles their total participants and now has 478 reported users

Equitable Access to Justice Pilot Program:

Launched on July 1, 2023, the Equitable Access to Justice Pilot Program offers 100% subsidized rides to/from AK Bean, Health & Human Services, La Clinica, Mare Island VA clinic, parole and probation offices, Southern Solano Alcohol Council, Superior Courts, and parole & probation offices. During its 3rd quarter, this program provided 251 rides.

Solano Mobility Express Vanpool Pilot Program:

Launched on August 8, 2023, to provide commuters with an alternative solution to the discontinued service to Sacramento. The Solano Mobility Express Vanpool Pilot Program provides morning and afternoon commutes via three 7-passenger vans and one 14-passenger van. 2,799 rides have been provided since the program's launch to the end of the third quarter. The program has received a 4.96/5 average from 300 rider ratings.

STA Board Approves Over $900,000 of TDA Article 3, TFCA, Bike/Ped, and Air Quality Funds

The STA Board approved the allocation of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) for the projects listed below:

1. City of Vallejo Fifth Street Bike and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Project
2. City of Benicia West 5th Street and West J Street Intersection Improvements
3. City of Benicia Military W and W 10th Street Pedestrian Improvements
4. City of Rio Vista's Front Street Sidewalk Completion Project
5. City of Vacaville's Safe Routes to School Reduced Speed Zones and Alternative Improvements
6. County of Solano State Route 37/Fairgrounds Drive Interchange Project

Get Involved with STA Advisory Committees

The STA currently has open positions on our Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC), and Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC). 

The BAC and PAC advise the STA on the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as an active mode of transportation in Solano County. To accomplish this, committee members assist the STA to develop countywide transportation plans and projects and provide funding recommendations for active transportation projects.

The PCC works on countywide senior and disabled transit issues as required by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and makes recommendations on transit and paratransit funding, claims, and coordination. 

We are currently looking for the following representatives:

Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)

• City of Dixon

Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)

• Member-at-Large (Solano Community College)

Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC)

• Public Agency – Education member
• Social Services Provider

For more information on the BAC Open Positions, click here, click here for more information on the PAC Open Positions, and here for information on PCC Open Positions.