An opportunity for an update arose on 6/14/17 when I attended the Riverfront Renaissance Community Event as an alternate for Amador Transit. One Sacramento planner remembered me from my prior involvements. I spoke with him, other planners, news reporters and politicians. Former Sacramento mayor Heather Fargo told me that Greyhound was purposely so located to be on city property because the city can terminate their lease and force a move. I was also assured that all buses would be available in a future intermodal facility to be built north of the Sac Valley Depot in the Railyards development. This was also new, since I knew that plan well having designed its transit system
And
while I don’t doubt the sincerity of those I spoke with, the Railyards Specific
Plan is an adopted, but unfunded, plan. When this will happen, and in what
final form, is unknown. So presently, the best approach appears to be remaining
vigilant. Therefore, I began the official process of making sure Amador County
was considered in the facility’s planning. At the TAC it was decided that SSTAC
(Social Services Transportation Advisory Council), of which I am a member, should
formally ask the ACTC (Amador County Transportation Commission). On 8/3/17 they
were asked to: “… (to) appoint a Sacramento Multimodal
Facility Planning Representative to facilitate inclusion in future intermodal
plans along with our neighboring counties…This endeavor would require the Amador
County Transportation Commissioners’ approval of staff time to assert Amador
County’s desire to be part of this proposed facility, to maintain contact with
the project planners and stakeholders, to provide commenting when necessary and
time to carry out any other tasks relating to representation.”
During the ensuing discussion Commissioner (and County Supervisor) Brian Oneto wisely asked if this would cost us anything. This is important consideration, and I answered that I didn’t know. I also stated that using the terminal would shorten the present route’s mileage thereby reducing operating costs along with likely increased farebox revenue. It would also avoid the far more costly route extension to Greyhound suggested in the recent Inter City consultant study.
The commission passed a draft resolution for approval at their next meeting which stated: “…to appoint Ms. Platt as a representative to attend, at her discretion, Sacramento Multimodal Facility Planning meetings and for the ACTC Executive Director to appoint April Miller from Amador Transit or other designee at this discretion to serve as alternate.” While this is certainly a step in the right direction, there are many unanswered questions. What are, if anything, the other counties and carriers doing to assert their interest? What is the status of this project within Sacramento politics? Since there doesn’t appear to be a functioning stake holder’s group, who will instigate this?
During the ensuing discussion Commissioner (and County Supervisor) Brian Oneto wisely asked if this would cost us anything. This is important consideration, and I answered that I didn’t know. I also stated that using the terminal would shorten the present route’s mileage thereby reducing operating costs along with likely increased farebox revenue. It would also avoid the far more costly route extension to Greyhound suggested in the recent Inter City consultant study.
The commission passed a draft resolution for approval at their next meeting which stated: “…to appoint Ms. Platt as a representative to attend, at her discretion, Sacramento Multimodal Facility Planning meetings and for the ACTC Executive Director to appoint April Miller from Amador Transit or other designee at this discretion to serve as alternate.” While this is certainly a step in the right direction, there are many unanswered questions. What are, if anything, the other counties and carriers doing to assert their interest? What is the status of this project within Sacramento politics? Since there doesn’t appear to be a functioning stake holder’s group, who will instigate this?
Copyright
2017, Mark L. Bennett
