Resilient Next Generation Transit Facility Plan: Yuba-Sutter Transit Authority
SB1 Adaptation Planning Grant: Initial Case Study
Brief Summary
This project will plan a Resilient Next Generation Transit Maintenance and Operations Facility for Yuba-Sutter Transit. The existing Transit Maintenance and Operations facility is located in a vulnerable location prone to power outages, and faces lengthy traffic delays due to limited access to surrounding communities, posing serious challenges to providing emergency response or investing in technology advancements. This effort will identify a site to support a more resilient and sustainable transit facility. The new facility will allow our fleet to convert to a zero-emission fuel source, increasing the resiliency of the transit system, and enhancing emergency response capabilities. The new facility will support clean, safe, and reliable transit service for disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, while helping the state meet GHG reduction and Innovative Clean Transit goals. The project is scheduled to start October 1, 2019 and be completed by December 2020 so that the next steps to obtaining a new facility can commence.
Lead Agency and Partnerships
Yuba-Sutter Transit will be the lead agency for this project and is responsible for tasks, timeline and final deliverables. A consultant will be secured to assist Yuba-Sutter Transit staff. Sacramento Area Council of Government (SACOG) staff and planning documents will be a resource throughout this project as will Caltrans District 3 staff and planning documents. Pacific Gas and Electric will also be consulted and be a part of the overall planning process and the planning for our fleet conversion to an alternative fuel.
Drivers
This effort is driven by the California Air Resources Board Innovative Clean Transit regulations, which mandates that transit agencies start implementing zero emission buses (ZEB) with any new bus purchase after 2026 and only purchase ZEBs starting in 2029. In response to the regulation, we have conducted an analysis of our current facility and determined that it is inadequate for supporting a ZEB fleet. Therefore, it is not prudent to invest the various federal, state and local funding designated for ZEB implementation into a facility that is not a long term solution.
Engagement Process
Yuba-Sutter Transit is a joint powers authority between Yuba and Sutter Counties, and the Cities of Marysville and Yuba City. The residents of these jurisdictions have been evacuated a number of times over the past few years due to flooding risk and wildfires. Development of a resilient facility and transit system will benefit the residents of the jurisdictions by providing better emergency response during extreme weather events and natural disasters. During the planning process and site selection, project updates will be provided to the public as well as shared at public meetings.
Climate Impact Area
The Yuba-Sutter area is anticipated to experience more extreme weather events in the form of increased precipitation, spring snowmelt due to warmer weather and extreme summer temperatures. Planning and constructing the resilient facility will improve operations during these extreme weather events, which will allow for more efficient evacuation. This project is necessary to improve emergency response to emergencies caused by extreme weather, increase the resiliency of transit operations, reduce operating costs through efficiencies, better protect transit assets from flooding events, allow Yuba-Sutter Transit to transition to ZEBs and reduce the carbon footprint of transit operations. Specific indicators to achieve climate resilience will be taken from local and state plans and be used to measure the success of this project.
Funding Source
This plan will be developed through a $177,060 Adaptation Planning Grant awarded by Caltrans with a $22,940 local match. It is anticipated that the funding will be used to hire a consultant and staff time will not be billed to the project.
Research and Data
The Sacramento Region Transportation Climate Action Plan will provide regional information on challenges, impacts and approaches to addressing climate change. Additionally, planning done by CalTrans, such as the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment that is completed by each district, will also be used as a resource.
Challenges
We anticipate that finding a suitable location for the facility that meets current and future needs of the transit system while increasing resiliency to the impacts of climate change will be difficult.
Outcomes
The completed plan will be a blueprint for constructing the Resilient Next Generation Transit Facility that will serve the Yuba-Sutter bi-county region for many years to come. The plan will provide information, cost estimates and preliminary architectural work that will enable Yuba-Sutter transit to apply to various funding sources. After completion of the Resilient Next Generation Transit Facility, Plan staff will identify, budget and/or pursue funding to purchase the property identified by the plan. Once we have secured funding, a real estate firm will be hired to purchase the property. After obtaining the property, we will move forward with design and completing the required environmental documents.
Replicability
The final product will be applicable to transit agencies seeking to remodel or construct a new facility that allows for transitioning to ZEBs and is resilient, efficient and meets future needs of their system.
Additional Resources
Sacramento Region Transportation Climate Action Plan
Caltrans Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
Further Information
For additional information about this project, please contact, please contact Adam Hansen, Yuba-Sutter Transit Planning Program manager at (530) 634-6880 or Adam@yubasuttertransit.com.
