Sacramento RT awards contract for bus route optimization study
Jarrett Walker + Associates will evaluate SacRT’s existing service conditions, as well as current travel patterns, to determine the type of design changes to recommend.
JWA will begin work on the ROS in January with SacRT’s team, and it’s expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
RT
2 min to read
JWA will begin work on the ROS in January with SacRT’s team, and it’s expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
RT
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) board of directors awarded a $400 thousand contract to Jarrett Walker + Associates (JWA ) to conduct a Route Optimization Study (ROS).
Under the guidance of Jarrett Walker, JWA was responsible for successfully re-imagining Houston Metro and for leading a Comprehensive Operational Analysis of the public transit network in Indianapolis. Closer to home, JWA is credited with developing “Next Network” a Transit Ridership Improvement Program that was rolled out for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.
The ROS will evaluate SacRT’s existing service conditions, as well as current travel patterns, to determine the type of design changes to recommend. The goal is to provide frequent service on bus routes that are traveling to destinations where people want to go. New transit trends, such as on-demand bus service using a smartphone app and zero-emission bus deployment, will be evaluated for possible inclusion into SacRT’s service design.
“Our number one priority is to significantly improve mobility and connectivity in the Sacramento region for years to come,” said GM/CEO Henry Li. “Improving accessibility and convenience is essential, if we are to become a world-class transit system in the Sacramento region.”
JWA, a Portland, Ore.-based company, will rely on AIM Consulting, a Sacramento public relations firm, to manage local community outreach for the ROS. AIM intends to outreach to passengers and non-transit users alike during two intense cycles that will be defined through a Public Engagement Plan. Community input will be a major component of the study, and JWA has committed to creating compelling visuals to effectively engage the public. Virtual workshops and online surveys will be major components of the outreach effort.
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
Rolling out in electric yellow and seafoam blue, the first battery-electric buses purchased from GILLIG will begin serving riders in south King County on February 2.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
While their comprehensive analysis of bus stops focused on Massachusetts, the researchers are excited about the generalizability of the findings and application to other locations.
CEO Nat Ford’s address offered a look at highlights from 2025, with a focus on the future and the innovative ways the JTA is shaping mobility in Northeast Florida.
