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TMI endorses staff recommendation to raise weekly Via Pass; staff to continue Downtown pilot
Summary
City staff reported on July 7 that the on‑demand rideshare pilot to Downtown Sacramento has produced thousands of trips and that the program’s operating cost per ride is about $16; the TMI voted 3–1–1 to recommend city council approve increasing the weekly Via Pass from $15 to $28 ($14 discounted) to reduce subsidy pressure.
At the July 7 Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Commission meeting, senior transportation planner Stephanie Chan presented an update on West Sacramento’s on‑demand rideshare program (contract with No Nomad Transit LLC, operating as Via) and a Downtown Sacramento pilot conducted under a memorandum of understanding with Sacramento Regional Transit and Yolo Transit District.
Chan said the city launched the program in May 2018 and re‑contracted with Via for 2024–27. City staff reported approximately 198,000 completed rides in fiscal year 2024–25 and said the Downtown pilot (October 7, 2024–December 25, 2024 free‑fare period, continued in paid mode through June 30, 2025) generated roughly 16,000 rides in that test window. The pilot used three pick‑up/drop‑off zones (Kaiser downtown medical offices, the downtown Commons/Kaiser zone, and Eighth & N as a light‑rail connection); staff recommended removing the Sacramento Valley Station zone because it sits less than 1,000 feet from an existing downtown stop and produces comparatively low usage.
Fare and cost findings: Chan told the commission the city’s average estimated cost per ride in 2024–25 was about $16.25 and that Via Pass weekly subscriptions accounted for roughly 45% of weekly rides. A small share of heavy “power users” (about 2% of riders) consumed about 12% of vehicle hours. To reduce long‑term subsidy pressure, staff proposed changing the Via Pass from $15 to $28 for regular riders (discounted pass $14 for seniors/disabled) and testing a distance‑based fare for Downtown Sacramento trips (proposed $4.50 base plus $1 per mile, with a capped maximum fare around $12.50). Chan said the city also received a $13,700 clean‑air grant from the Yolo‑Solano Air Quality Management District to subsidize an initial free‑fare pilot period.
Funding context and decision: Chan explained the on‑demand program is funded principally with Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds and that the city used one‑time bridge‑district funds and reserves to cover earlier contract costs. Under current allocations staff projects a funding gap of roughly $600,000 for fiscal year 2026–27 and a larger longer‑term shortfall unless additional revenue or reduced vehicle hours are identified. Staff said fare adjustments and program parameter changes are intended to reduce the city’s subsidy burden while continuing to serve transit‑dependent riders.
Commission discussion ranged from service reliability and algorithmic routing to equity questions about who qualifies for discounted fares. Commissioners asked staff to examine options for income‑based discounts and operational changes (hours and special stop rules during school‑peak periods). Staff warned that adding income verification would increase administrative workload and could require additional staff resources.
Formal action: following discussion, the commission voted on a motion to recommend council approve the staff recommendation to increase the Via Pass to $28 for regular riders and keep the discounted pass at $14. The motion passed 3–1–1 (Ayes: Chair Valerie Zimmer, Commissioner Cummings, Commissioner Ford; Nay: Commissioner Rohrer; Abstain: Commissioner Banks). Staff said it will present the commission’s recommendation to city council and continue piloting Downtown zone parameters through June 2027 under the existing MOU.
