RCTA says TRSIP funds of roughly $7M support three projects; staff asks to borrow from transit-center construction to finish Williams Drive chargers

Joe, RCTA staff, gave a detailed update on three TRSIP Cycle 6 projects and the agency's plan for sequencing and funding.

"We were fortunate to receive over $7,000,000" across three distinct projects funded in 2024, Joe said, listing the Williams Drive charging-station project, procurement of electric buses, and the Crescent City Transit Center. He said the Williams Drive project is furthest along with 90% design plans currently under review and on pace for 100% design this spring, and that construction would likely bid in the fall.

On bus procurement, staff said the agency will scale the electric-bus purchase to six vehicles (down from a previous plan for 10) because of funding constraints, and recommended ordering one low-floor pilot vehicle now to evaluate performance before committing to additional purchases. On timing, Joe said an earlier-ordered bus is expected imminently and that newer low-floor models quote production times of roughly six to nine months.

For the Crescent City Transit Center, staff reported design-review approval by the Crescent City Planning Commission and completion of the environmental (PA&ED) stage; however, staff warned that the initial $250,000 allocated for PS&E will be insufficient and that construction estimates are likely higher than earlier submissions because of inflation.

To keep the Williams Drive chargers moving, staff proposed temporarily borrowing from the transit-center construction allocation while applying for Cycle 8 TRSIP funding and other tranches of SB125 to replenish the deficit. "We might as well borrow from that to make sure we deliver the first project successfully," Joe said, describing it as a sequencing tradeoff to avoid losing momentum on an advanced project.

Staff flagged the shade (rain) structure over the Williams Drive yard as a major cost driver — estimated to account for roughly 30–40% of project cost — and said it could be dropped as an option if necessary. Board members questioned the timing mismatch between chargers coming online and bus delivery; staff responded that chargers should be ready by 2027 and that bus deliveries could be staggered to match charger availability.

The board moved to authorize hiring Green Dot Transportation for grant-writing support to pursue Cycle 8 funding (see separate approved agreement). Members scheduled a March 30 workshop for a detailed review of 90% plans and project finances.

Next steps: Finalize 100% design for Williams Drive, seek CTC approval for construction funds when prior phases complete, pilot one low-floor EV, and submit Cycle 8 grant applications with contracted grant-writer support.