SolTrans launches bay-loading system, reports surge in youth ridership and clears FTA triennial review
July 17, 2025 | Vallejo, Solano County, California
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SolTrans’ executive director reported several customer‑facing initiatives and a positive Federal Transit Administration (FTA) triennial review at the board meeting, and highlighted community outreach events and a sharp increase in youth ridership.
Staff said the agency launched a bay-loading system at transit centers on July 1, which uses visual and audio announcements to direct riders to the assigned boarding bay. The executive director acknowledged early confusion but reported riders were adjusting. Board members and staff described staff and supervisors directing riders during the rollout.
The executive director told the board the FTA triennial review — a federal audit that examines procurement, civil-rights compliance, ADA, DBE, drug-and-alcohol oversight and technical capacity — produced a favorable outcome. “We got a very good review, so I wanted to congratulate everybody,” she said.
Staff also reported a substantial increase in summer youth ridership: “Ridership has doubled compared to last summer,” the executive director said. The meeting introduced a high-school intern, Maria Christina (MC), who described her outreach and marketing work.
Staff highlighted community partnerships and events: two parades (Benicia and Vallejo), a free-ride day on July 7 when La Russell funded local and express rides, weekend shuttle service around Benicia for a parade, and a Transdev‑organized volunteer cleanup at Washington Park. The director encouraged board participation in community events and noted upcoming back-to-school nights in Benicia and Vallejo.
No board action was required on the report.
Board members congratulated staff on the FTA review and thanked staff for outreach work; the board discussed minor operational questions about the bay-number displays and staffing to assist riders during the transition.
Staff said the agency launched a bay-loading system at transit centers on July 1, which uses visual and audio announcements to direct riders to the assigned boarding bay. The executive director acknowledged early confusion but reported riders were adjusting. Board members and staff described staff and supervisors directing riders during the rollout.
The executive director told the board the FTA triennial review — a federal audit that examines procurement, civil-rights compliance, ADA, DBE, drug-and-alcohol oversight and technical capacity — produced a favorable outcome. “We got a very good review, so I wanted to congratulate everybody,” she said.
Staff also reported a substantial increase in summer youth ridership: “Ridership has doubled compared to last summer,” the executive director said. The meeting introduced a high-school intern, Maria Christina (MC), who described her outreach and marketing work.
Staff highlighted community partnerships and events: two parades (Benicia and Vallejo), a free-ride day on July 7 when La Russell funded local and express rides, weekend shuttle service around Benicia for a parade, and a Transdev‑organized volunteer cleanup at Washington Park. The director encouraged board participation in community events and noted upcoming back-to-school nights in Benicia and Vallejo.
No board action was required on the report.
Board members congratulated staff on the FTA review and thanked staff for outreach work; the board discussed minor operational questions about the bay-number displays and staffing to assist riders during the transition.
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