The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is pleased to announce that the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) has awarded SacRT $29 million in grant funding through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). 

This funding, combined with $84 million leveraged from additional state and federal funding sources, will support several transformative projects. These include the purchase of 10 new S700 low-floor light rail vehicles; converting 17 Blue Line rails stations to accommodate the height requirement of the new low-floor vehicles; constructing the new Dos Rios Station, and constructing the new Horn Road Station in Rancho Cordova, which will close a 2.5-mile gap between existing stations on the Gold Line and provide access to  a public library, parks, and the American River. 

Additionally, SacRT will install Cal-ITP platform validator devices and integrate them with Scheidt & Bachman fare vending machines at 54 light rail stations to streamline ticket purchasing and validation, improving the customer experience.

This grant application and subsequent award were made possible through strong partnerships with 12 agencies. The project offers significant benefits, including a reduction of 78,032 metric tons of CO2 equivalent in greenhouse gases, a decrease of 250 million vehicle miles traveled, $160,722,974 in passenger travel cost savings, and the support of 984 full-time equivalent jobs.

“This funding will allow us to continue advancing our vision of a more connected, accessible, and sustainable transit system for all Sacramento residents,” said Henry Li, SacRT General Manager/CEO. “We are excited to work with our partners to bring these projects to life, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our community.”

“We are thrilled to receive this grant funding, which will help us make significant advancements in our transit system, said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “This is a vital step toward building a greener future and providing equitable transit solutions that benefit all our communities.”

“As someone who has long advocated for a new light rail station in Rancho Cordova, I am thrilled to see this crucial project move closer to becoming a reality with the help of the TIRCP grant,” said SacRT Board Director and Rancho Cordova City Council Member Linda Budge. “The new Horn Road Station will enhance access to reliable transit, support local businesses, and improve mobility for residents and visitors.

According to SacRT press release, the  grant funding will support the following project components:

New Low-Floor Light Rail Vehicles
SacRT will replace aging high-floor light rail vehicles with new state-of-the-art S700 low-floor light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility. SacRT currently has an order of 45 new trains, with the first 20 already in service on the Gold Line. Combined with other state and federal funds, this additional grant funding will assist with the purchase of 10 additional new low-floor light rail vehicles, bringing our total to 55.

In addition, SacRT is partnering with Siemens Mobility and American River College to train students in maintaining the new S700 vehicles, creating career pathways in transit maintenance.

Light Rail Station Conversions on the Blue Line
SacRT is converting 17 of the 19 light rail stations along the Blue Line to accommodate the height requirement of the new low-floor light rail vehicles, making the system more accessible by eliminating the need to climb stairs to board the vehicles. With this funding, SacRT now has enough money to complete our station conversions at all of our stations. Learn more about this project at sacrt.com/modernization.

As part of this project, SacRT is also working with partners to develop over 10,000 housing units near current and future light rail stations, including affordable and mixed-use developments like the nearly completed Salvator Apartments adjacent to the Royal Oaks Station and a proposed 124-unit apartment near the Arden/Del Paso Station.

New Dos Rios Light Rail Station
A partnership between SacRT, the City of Sacramento, and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA), the new Dos Rios Station on the Blue Line will serve as a key part of the Twin Rivers-River District transformation. This project aims to provide connectivity to the historically isolated area, integrating transit access with Mirasol Village — a new development offering 427 low-income units and market-rate housing. The vision for the River District includes increased access to jobs, services, and cultural amenities, creating a vibrant gateway to downtown Sacramento. Learn more about the project at sacrt.com/dosrios.

Horn Road Light Rail Station and Complete Streets Improvements
SacRT is working with the City of Rancho Cordova and Sacramento County on “complete streets” projects along Folsom Boulevard, creating safer and more accessible routes for bicyclists and pedestrians near the future Horn Road Station. Rancho Cordova’s streetscape work and the design of a new Class IV Bike Trail will further connect the station to regional bike paths like the American River Bike Trail.

Transition to Digital Fare Technology
SacRT is transitioning to a digital fare system through the Cal-ITP Platform Validator and Smart Fare Vending Machine, in partnership with the CCJPA. This will streamline fare payments and transfers between SacRT services and Capitol Corridor trains, providing a more seamless experience for riders. SacRT plans to extend this template to other regional rail services, such as ACE and San Joaquins trains, making travel throughout Northern California easier and more efficient. SacRT will also collaborate with community-based organizations to raise awareness and provide training for new ticketing and scheduling systems, expanding ridership beyond transit-dependent populations.

For more information about the TIRCP grants, visit calsta.ca.gov/subject-areas/transit-intercity-rail-capital-prog.

.