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Federal Stimulus Provides Short Term Funding for Transit & Shifts Focus to Infrastructure Projects

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the $2 Trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act” that includes $25 billion to help the nation’s transit operators respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bay Area region’s share is projected to be $1.3 billion.

Transportation discussions in Washington DC have begun to focus on infrastructure as an opportunity to mitigate and stimulate the national economy which is reeling from the continued impacts of the COVID-19 disease. This has included identification of “Shovel Ready” projects. STA projects staff have developed a list of shovel ready transportation projects in preparation for this emerging discussion in Washington, DC, Sacramento, and at MTC. Click here to view the STA’s list of Shovel Ready projects.

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March STATUS 2020

The STATUS Newsletter is published every month after the STA Board meeting to inform the public and our stakeholders of what’s happening with transportation in Solano County. Click HERE to view the March STATUS Newsletter 2020.

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COVID-19 Transit Updates

Please see announcements from the following Transit Operators:

Link to information about STA’s Temporary Lyft First/Last Mile Program Expansion

Link to Solano County Health Order

Link to Governor Newsom’s Stay at Home Order

This page will be updated when new information is released.

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STA Office Closure

March 18, 2020

As you are well aware, recent events have compelled us to make adjustments to our daily routines. The Solano Transportation Authority (STA) is trying to limit the disruptions to public services while maintaining compliance with standard safety precautions. Your safety, and the safety of STA staff are of the utmost importance.

In response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic, the offices of the STA and the Solano Mobility Call Centers will be closed beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020 to Tuesday, March 31,  2020.  STA and Solano Mobility staff will be telecommuting and available by email or phone.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at:

    • STA Main Line: (707) 424-6075
    • STA Main Email: info@sta.ca.gov
    • Solano Mobility: 800-535-6883
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STA Announces Expansion of Lyft First/Last Mile Program in Response to COVID–19

Solano Transportation Authority Announces Expansion of Lyft First/Last Mile Program in Response to COVID–19

Suisun City, CA – In response to the shelter-in-place orders issued by Governor Gavin Newsom and the Solano County Office of Public Health, Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) has reduced transit services, including the temporary elimination of Routes 2, 4, 5, and 8 (see FAST service advisory: https://fasttransit.org/service-advisory/).

In order to support the mobility requirements of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers (such as healthcare workers and public safety employees), and to provide residents with transportation for essential tasks, such as traveling to medical appointments, picking up medial prescriptions, purchasing groceries, or ordering takeout meals, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) is expanding the Lyft First/Last Mile Program to provide coverage for the eliminated FAST Routes, effective Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at noon.

The Lyft First/Last Mile Program provides 80% off Lyft rides up to $25 dollars to and from local transportation centers in Solano County. Commuters can use the Lyft First/Last Mile Program for travel to and from the Vallejo Ferry Terminal, the Suisun Fairfield Train Station, the Fairfield Vacaville Hannigan Train Station, and the Fairfield Transportation Center.

Additionally, to accommodate those traveling to perform essential tasks, travel to and from David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base (Main Entrance), FoodMaxx (Beck Ave), Smart and Final/Walmart (N. Texas St), and Green Valley Shopping Center (Green Valley Rd) will also qualify for the 80% off Lyft First/Last Mile Program.

To sign up for the Lyft First/Last Mile Program, visit https://www.solanomobility.org/commuter/ or call 800-535-6883. Once signed up, participants will be notified as soon as ride discounts have been activated within their Lyft account. A smartphone with the Lyft app installed is required for participation.

Funding for this program is made possible with the assistance of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD): https://www.baaqmd.gov/

 For more information or questions, please contact the Solano Mobility Call Center at 800-535-6883 or visit the website at www.solanomobility.org

 

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Comprehensive Transportation Plan – Land Use Chapter

The STA’s Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) for Solano County envisions, directs, and prioritizes the transportation needs of Solano County. The CTP incorporates various STA studies and plans into a 25-year planning document. This section presents the land use plans, policies, and programs that will support the infrastructure and transportation investments in the CTP. It incorporates information from the 2019 Solano Housing Summit, interviews with landowners and developers, UC Berkeley research on regional housing issues, and the Solano EDC’s Moving Solano Forward Report.

To view the CTP Land Use Chapter, please click here.

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Temporary Changes to Intercity Taxi Card (PEX) Program

March 18, 2020

To All Intercity Taxi Card (PEX) Users and Partners:

The safety of the public and all our partners is a top priority; therefore, due to the temporary office closures of the Solano Transportation Authority and the Solano Mobility In-Person Centers, effective March 19, 2020, the following program changes will be taking place:

    1. Solano Transportation Authority (STA) will continue processing purchases for PEX card funds over the phone by credit or debit card ONLY.
    2. To purchase Intercity Taxi Card (ITX) PEX funds by cash:
        1. Contact your local transit operator for hours or operation (see below for contact numbers)
        2. Funds purchased at your local transit operator will be added to your PEX card account within the current timeframes
    3. You will be able to use your PEX card up to your normal monthly limit as per your transit operator’s guidelines (see below)

Transit Operators:

Transit Operator Contact Phone Number Monthly Purchase Limit
Dixon Readi Ride 707-678-7000 $400
Fairfield and Suisun Transit (FAST) 707-422-2877 $400
Rio Vista Delta Breeze 707-374-2878 $800
SolTrans 707-648-4666 $600 (ITX)  and  $150 (Local)
Vacaville City Coach 707-449-6000 $500

Please contact the Solano Mobility Call Center with questions at 800-535-6883.

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TFCA County Program Manager Funds Application FY 2020-21 *DEADLINE EXTENDED*

For the FY 2020-21 Cycle, an estimated total of $128,801 will be available for clean air projects (see attached application for more details on funding availability). Southwestern portions of Solano County are eligible to apply for these funds. This air basin includes the cities of Benicia, Fairfield, Suisun City, and Vallejo, as well as the surrounding unincorporated areas.

Eligible TFCA projects are those that reduce air pollution from motor vehicles, such as clean air vehicles and infrastructure, carpools/vanpools, shuttle bus services, bicycle projects, and alternative mode promotional/educational projects.

The Call for Projects deadline is Friday, March 20th, 2020 by 4:59PM extended to Monday, April 20th, 2020 by 4:59PM. Click here to download the application. Contact Assistant Planner Triana Crighton (tcrighton@sta.ca.gov) for any questions.

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Senator Dodd Introduces Highway 37 Improvement Bill

Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced legislation today to reduce traffic congestion along Highway 37 and protect the vital North Bay route from sea level rise driven by climate change.

“The time is now to improve this essential artery that connects us to jobs and supports our economy,” Sen. Dodd said. “If we don’t act, increased traffic and sea level rise will make an already bad situation simply unpassable.  Without a dedicated revenue source, the problem won’t be fixed in many of our lifetimes. I introduced this bill to increase capacity for today’s commuters and make the route sustainable for future generations.”

Highway 37 runs along the northern edge of San Pablo Bay, serving as a critical connection for Sonoma, Solano, Napa and Marin counties. An estimated 40,000 cars and trucks cross it each day. That number is expected to increase nearly 50 percent, to 58,000 vehicles, over the 20 years. At the same time, a recent UC Davis study found that sea level rise will make the highway impossible to use by the end of the century, with serious periods of flooding expected annually in the coming decades.
The bill will create a tolling authority to raise capital for necessary improvements. The funding would help leverage state and federal funding sources to complete the needed overhaul. Details including administration, matching funds and the design of a new highway will be decided with future public input. Possibilities include an elevated causeway between Sears Point and Vallejo.

The proposal is supported by stakeholders in Sonoma, Solano, Napa and Marin counties. The bill was announced today during a 10 a.m. press conference at highways 37 and 121.

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February STATUS 2020

The STATUS Newsletter is published every month after the STA Board meeting to inform the public and our stakeholders of what’s happening with transportation in Solano County. Click HERE to view the February STATUS Newsletter 2020.