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RTA reports rising ridership in Paso Robles, pushes electrification and short-range transit plan
Summary
The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority told the council it is transitioning to battery-electric buses, testing opportunity charging for longer routes, considering service changes including school trippers and weekend service adjustments, and proposing a contactless fare and fare-capping program to speed boarding.
The San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority on April 1 updated the Paso Robles City Council on system ridership, its shift to battery-electric buses, and recommendations from a short-range transit plan that could change weekend service and add school-focused “tripper” runs.
Jeff Straw, RTA executive director, reported that fixed-route boardings in Paso Robles have recovered since COVID and that the city’s fixed-route service now operates more trips than before the pandemic. He said the RTA purchased two battery-electric buses delivered in March 2024 with large battery packs and that depot and opportunity charging studies are underway to allow electric buses to operate the longer, energy-intensive Route 9 service.
Straw described plans for opportunity (in-route) charging at the North County Transportation Center and in San Luis Obispo so Route 9 buses can “top up” charge during scheduled layovers. He said electric buses cost more to buy (roughly $1.44 million each versus about $660,000 for a diesel bus) and require charging infrastructure; RTA is pursuing grants to fund depot and opportunity chargers.
The RTA is also preparing a short-range transit plan that recommends 1) school “tripper” runs to relieve overloaded a/b routes at bell times, 2) restoring Saturday Route A or adding Sunday Route B, and 3) restoring some express trips for Route 9. Straw said the RTA board will consider the plan and that public input is open through April 24 with a board hearing May 7.
On fares, Straw said RTA is moving toward a $2 flat boarding fare and a contactless fare program with fare-capping so riders do not pay more than the daily cap, and that the RTA has a grant to implement contactless payments. The council and public asked about heavy battery weight, road wear, and whether steep grades require diesel buses; Straw said opportunity charging and lighter battery packs could reduce vehicle weight and that diesel will remain on the longest, most energy-intensive runs until charging is available.
No council action was taken. Straw encouraged riders to participate in the open survey and noted the RTA is coordinating with Monterey–Salinas Transit to allow regional connections using shared, capped fares.
