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Authorize the County Administrator to execute the Intercity Transit Funding and Cost Sharing Agreement (Solano Express) by and among the Solano Transportation Authority, the County of Solano, Solano County Transit (SolTrans), the City of Dixon, the City of Fairfield, the City of Suisun City, and the City of Vacaville
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County Administrator to execute the Intercity Transit Funding and Cost Sharing Agreement (Solano Express) by and among the Solano Transportation Authority, the County of Solano, Solano County Transit (SolTrans), the City of Dixon, the City of Fairfield, the City of Suisun City, and the City of Vacaville.
SUMMARY:
Since 2013, regional transit services throughout Solano County have been funded using a cost-sharing agreement that establishes route responsibilities for SolTrans as the regional operator of Solano Express Bus, as well as funding responsibilities by the agencies whose residents receive these intercity services. The existing agreement has become aged and undergone a series of route and cost changes that require an updated agreement to service future years.
The attached Intercity Transit Funding and Cost Sharing Agreement (Attachment A) represents an effort by the partnering agencies to provide an updated agreement to address the changing needs of countywide regional transit services over FY2025/26 with an option to extend to future years if the service delivery, revenues, and cost-sharing remain stable. The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board authorize the County Administrator to execute the Solano Express Intercity Transit Funding and Cost Sharing Agreement to continue the regional partnership that is providing these transit services to important regional connections.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The FY2025/26 share of costs for Solano County totals $199,895 and will come from Solano County’s Transportation Development Act funds that are allocated for use for transit services. There is no impact to the Road Fund or County General Fund. The costs associated with preparing this agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2025/26 Working Budget.
DISCUSSION:
SolTrans operates all transit services within and between the cities of Benicia and Vallejo. SolTrans also operates the Solano Express Bus which connects to the major regional hubs that include the Vallejo/WETA ferry, BART, the Capital Corridor train, and north to Yolo County. SolTrans also supports local partner agencies, including Solano Transportation Authority, Solano County, and the cities of Dixon, Fairfield, Suisun City, and Vacaville.
The existing 2013 Intercity Agreement stabilized partner contributions and transit funding to SolTrans which ensured that transit connections to the major regional transit nodes listed above could be serviced over the last decade. The route connections and associated operating costs have changed significantly, which requires a new framework for funding and cost-sharing. The new Intercity Agreement will address these changes and continue to fund SolTrans Solano Express Bus service during the existing year as well as facilitate the option for future years.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to authorize execution of this Intercity Agreement. This is not recommended as the agreement is necessary to facilitate a variety of regional transit services for all County residents.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
SolTrans, Solano Transportation Authority, and the cities of Dixon, Fairfield, Suisun City, and Vacaville.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION