Roseville staff outline phased rollout of COA changes, including Aero zones, RapidLink launch and fare work

City staff on July 21 provided the Transportation Commission an informational update on implementing the 2025 Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA), outlining a phased rollout that includes a redesigned commuter network, a zoned Aero microtransit service, a RapidLink regional connection and forthcoming fare alignment with Placer County Transit.

Staff said the COA — an almost 300‑page study approved in 2025 — recommended changes across six elements: commuter service, fixed‑route service, Aero (on‑demand) and ADA service, RapidLink, fares and bus stops. Staff emphasized the implementation will be phased and requires coordination with regional partners and the contractor MV Transportation.

On commuter service, staff reported the July 2025 redesign increased AM/PM commuter trips (from eight to 11 routes) and said ridership measures moved from about 4,570 passengers per month before the changes to about 5,571 per month after the redesign, which staff characterized as roughly a 22% year‑over‑year increase. "We now average about 5,571, which is a 22% increase year over year," a staff presenter said.

Staff described the multimodal overhaul for local routes as one of the COA’s largest changes: local service will expand to four routes with 30‑minute headways and tie into Aero at designated transfer points across three zones. "The intent is to transport our passengers across Roseville in a quicker and more efficient manner," staff said.

On Aero microtransit, staff said ridership has grown substantially compared with pre‑COVID levels and recommended splitting Aero into three service zones. The city has acquired 12 new electric Ford Transit vans that staff said will begin service by August; staff also explained that general public riders may need to transfer between zones while eligible riders (seniors, ADA riders) may travel across zones on a single trip.

Staff gave schedule details for RapidLink, a new regional service connecting Lincoln, Roseville and the Watt IED Transfer Center: buses have been received and prepped, staff said, with a soft launch planned in October featuring hourly headways and free fares, and a full launch scheduled for February 2027 with 30‑minute headways. Staff noted en‑route pantograph chargers have been installed at the Galleria and were commissioned this year to support extended run times.

On fares, staff said they are coordinating with Placer County Transit to align pricing regionally and that any local fare increase would likely require a Title VI public‑outreach process before commission and council action. Staff said they expect to return later this year with a final fare proposal.

Staff also previewed bus stop improvements and new shelter designs; the first replacement shelters would be installed at the Galleria transfer point with a project window of roughly three months.

Commissioners asked about implementation oversight and metrics. In response, staff said the city’s short‑range transit plan and COA key performance indicators will guide monitoring and that new services will be closely reviewed in the first month and again at three‑ and six‑month milestones with the ability to make adjustments quickly.

Commissioners raised equity and operational questions: one asked whether commuter routes should face fare increases given state transit benefits received by many state workers; staff answered that fare policy will consider subsidy sources and that any increase would follow required outreach and approval steps. Commissioners also asked about park‑and‑ride capacity at the Galleria and whether dedicated bus lanes or traffic‑signal priority had been considered; staff said the Galleria has set‑aside parking and that the city is testing traffic‑signal priority (TSP) as a less‑capital‑intensive way to accelerate service.

The update was informational only; commissioners did not take action on COA items at the meeting. The commission did handle routine business earlier in the meeting, approving the March 17, 2026 minutes and completing a midyear appointment of Commissioner Roberts as chair and Commissioner McGeorge as vice chair.

What’s next: staff expects to return with a final fare proposal later this year, to soft‑launch RapidLink in October and to proceed with Phase 3 system integration steps toward full implementation in March 2027.