Those who use the Sacramento Regional Transit Light Rail (SacRT) between Historic Folsom and Iron Point will need to adjust to a change at the start of the new year. As modernization construction expands to the system, train service to local Folsom stations will be paused during the course of the project which is expected to span several months.
The adjustment to service comes as SacRT is adding a passing track at the Glenn/Robert G. Holderness Station to be able to provide 15-minute light rail service to all Folsom area stations including Hazel, Iron Point, Glenn/Robert G. Holderness and Historic Folsom.
During construction, which begins January 2, 2024, there will be NO light rail service between Iron Point Station and Historic Folsom Station. Instead, SacRT will provide supplemental shuttle bus service for customers that need to travel to Folsom stations from Iron Point that are impacted by track construction. This includes Glenn/Robert G Holderness and Historic Folsom stations. Light rail service will be available at Iron Point Station for travel to and from downtown Sacramento. If a customer does not want to take the shuttle bus they can park and catch the train at one of SacRT’s free park-and-ride lots at Iron Point, Hazel and Sunrise stations.
Once construction is completed in summer 2024, SacRT will operate 15-minute service at all Folsom area stations (Hazel, Iron Point, Glenn/Robert G Holderness and Historic Folsom) using new low-floor light rail trains.
Weekday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 4:41 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –11:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 5:00 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 11:30 PM
Saturday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 7:11 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –11:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 7:30 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 11:30 PM
Sunday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 9:41 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –9:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 10:00 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 9:30 PM
GOLD LINE BUS BRIDGE
Shuttle buses will pick up and drop off riders between Historic Folsom and Iron Point stations during construction every 30 minutes.
Historic Folsom Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: On Reading Street across Street at bus stop next to garage.
Glenn/Robert G. Holderness Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: Next to the station platform
- Toward Historic Folsom Station: Next to the station platform
Iron Point Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Historic Folsom Station: Upper driveway near the stairs
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: Light Rail service available
PROJECT TIMELINE
Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2024. Upon project completion, new low-floor trains will arrive in and depart from Historic Folsom Station every 15 minutes.
Light Rail Modernization Project
Learn more about the Light Rail Modernization Project, which also include station platform modifications and the purchase of new low-floor light rail trains. Visit sacrt.com/modernization.
SacRT is adding a passing track at the Glenn/Robert G. Holderness Station to be able to provide 15-minute light rail service to all Folsom area stations including Hazel, Iron Point, Glenn/Robert G. Holderness and Historic Folsom.
During construction, which begins January 2, 2024, there will be NO light rail service between Iron Point Station and Historic Folsom Station. Instead, SacRT will provide supplemental shuttle bus service for customers that need to travel to Folsom stations from Iron Point that are impacted by track construction. This includes Glenn/Robert G Holderness and Historic Folsom stations. Light rail service will be available at Iron Point Station for travel to and from downtown Sacramento. If a customer does not want to take the shuttle bus they can park and catch the train at one of SacRT’s free park-and-ride lots at Iron Point, Hazel and Sunrise stations.
Once construction is completed in summer 2024, SacRT will operate 15-minute service at all Folsom area stations (Hazel, Iron Point, Glenn/Robert G Holderness and Historic Folsom) using new low-floor light rail trains.
Weekday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 4:41 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –11:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 5:00 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 11:30 PM
Saturday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 7:11 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –11:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 7:30 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 11:30 PM
Sunday Bus Bridge Schedule:
- First Bus at Iron Point Station – 9:41 AM
- Last Bus at Iron Point Station –9:11 PM
- First Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 10:00 AM
- Last Bus at Historic Folsom Station – 9:30 PM
GOLD LINE BUS BRIDGE
Shuttle buses will pick up and drop off riders between Historic Folsom and Iron Point stations during construction every 30 minutes.
Historic Folsom Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: On Reading Street across Street at bus stop next to garage.
Glenn/Robert G. Holderness Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: Next to the station platform
- Toward Historic Folsom Station: Next to the station platform
Iron Point Station Shuttle Bus
- Toward Historic Folsom Station: Upper driveway near the stairs
- Toward Sacramento Valley Station: Light Rail service available
PROJECT TIMELINE
Construction is expected to be completed by summer 2024. Upon project completion, new low-floor trains will arrive in and depart from Historic Folsom Station every 15 minutes.
New low-floor trains enter final testing phase, station modifications
Light Rail service continued during this phase of the project and will not halt locally until January 2, 2024 when the passing rail project begins.
Photos by Bill Sullivan
As part of the Light Rail Modernization Project, SacRT is also admist modifying local boarding stations to accommodate the future use of new low-floor trains.
SacRT previously purchased low-floor light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility, which are built in south Sacramento. Upon delivery from Siemens Mobility, each train undergoes a comprehensive testing process to ensure optimal functionality before being integrated into SacRT’s system. The upcoming phase, known as “Burn-in Testing,” kicks off on December 6, 2023, marking a crucial step toward the deployment for service.
Testing Details:
The Burn-in testing phase will be conducted systemwide on the Gold, Green, and Blue Lines, Monday through Friday, between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. This schedule is designed to minimize any impact on light rail service.
During Burn-in Testing, the new low-floor trains will operate as active trains, pulling up to stations, opening doors, deploying ramps, closing doors, and moving to the next station. This testing process is meant to mimic an actual train in service, so the headsigns and announcements will appear as an active train, so they can be tested at each station. The new low-floor trains will have large “Test Train” decals on doors and windows to prevent boarding.
Burn-in Testing is expected to take approximately two weeks per train. This thorough process allows SacRT staff to identify and address any issues before the trains are approved for service.
The Burn-in Testing process is projected to continue through the spring of 2024 for the first 20 trains.
Testing Phases for Each New Low-Floor Train:
STEP 1: Static Testing (Approximately 2 months): Comprehensive evaluations of all onboard systems including programming, signals, lighting and electrical connections.
STEP 2: Dynamic Testing (Approximately 2 months): On track testing of braking and propulsion with different load scenarios. Nightly mainline service shutdowns to ensure thorough testing.
STEP 3: Burn-in Testing (Approximately 2 weeks): On-track operation for a minimum of 1,000 miles without specified failures.
SacRT’s light rail staff are currently undergoing training to both test and operate the new low-floor trains, ensuring a seamless transition to active service.
We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during this testing phase, as SacRT strives to enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of its transit system.
The new low-floor vehicles will provide easier access at every doorway, a spacious seating design, and large windows for better light and views. They feature improved accessibility with wider aisles. The new low-floor vehicles will increase overall operational flexibility by providing more access to passengers with disabilities.
The new low-floor light rail trains will only use at maximum of three new Siemens (S700) light rail vehicles during peak or other service, since there are several city blocks in downtown Sacramento that are not long enough to accommodate four of the S700 vehicles while meeting ADA requirements for the S700 door placement and the bridge plate to land 8” above the top of the .
The first new low-floor train was delivered to SacRT in March 2023. The first low-floor vehicles are expected to be ready for revenue service in summer 2024.
SacRT is modernizing the light rail system to make future travel easier, safer and more convenient for riders. The project includes three major highlights:
- Purchasing a new fleet of low-floor trains.
- Reconfiguring light rail station platforms to accommodate the new low-floor trains.
- Adding a passing track to operate 15-minute service between Sunrise and Historic Folsom stations, rather than the existing 30-minute service.
Construction on station platform modifications along the Gold Line began in January 2023 and will continue through summer 2024. Modifications to the Historic Folsom Station began this week, ahead of the planned construction on the passing track The entire Gold Line is expected to be updated for the new low-floor trains in summer 2024. Learn more at sacrt.com/modernization
Learn more about the Light Rail Modernization Project, which also include station platform modifications and the purchase of new low-floor light rail trains. Visit sacrt.com/modernization.
