SacRT light rail
| Company type | Public transit agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Sacramento , United States |
Area served | Sacramento metropolitan area |
| Products | Light rail transit service |
| Website | www |
The SacRT light rail network operates within the Sacramento, California region under the management of the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT). This system comprises three primary lines running on standard gauge tracks, encompassing 53 stations and a total of 121 vehicles. As of , SacRT holds the position of being the fifteenth most utilized light rail system in the United States, based on average weekday boardings.
Origins
During the mid-1980s, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) began developing plans for a light rail transit system. This initiative was influenced by the success of the San Diego Trolley and a broader national trend toward establishing light rail networks in medium-sized cities such as Buffalo, Denver, Portland, and San Jose.
The inaugural light rail route commenced operations on March 12, 1987, initially marketed as RT Metro. This line connected northeastern and eastern neighborhoods, running parallel to Interstate 80 and Route 50, and linking them to Downtown Sacramento. The original "starter line" stretched from Watt/I-80 to Butterfield stations, utilizing former railroad corridors including segments of the Sacramento Valley Railroad and Western Pacific Railroad, along with sections through city streets and freeway medians.
With increasing passenger numbers, SacRT undertook system growth. In 1993, two additional infill stations—39th Street and 48th Street—were introduced. By September 1998, the route had extended beyond Butterfield to reach Mather Field/Mills. During the late 1990s, the RT Metro branding was discontinued, and the network became known simply as the SacRT light rail system.
Expansion
September 2003 saw SacRT inaugurate the initial segment of what is now called the Blue Line (formerly South Line), adding a 6.3-mile extension serving South Sacramento. The Gold Line followed with an extension from Mather Field/Mills station to Sunrise Boulevard in June 2004, then further expanded by 7.4 miles reaching Folsom in October 2005.
In December 2006, a new 0.7-mile segment connected downtown Sacramento’s Valley Station via the Amtrak/Folsom project. This link integrated light rail with Amtrak’s intercity and Capitol Corridor trains along with local and commuter bus services.
The Green Line's first phase opened in 2012, terminating at 7th & Richards with intentions for eventual expansion toward Sacramento International Airport. Later, in August 2015, the Blue Line was extended southward to Cosumnes River College.
Ridership on Sacramento RT Light Rail peaked at 16.8 million rides in 2008 but experienced a decline of approximately 42%, falling to 9.7 million rides by 2018.
Lines
Sacramento’s light rail network consists of three lines serving a total of 53 stations. These routes connect Downtown Sacramento with areas including River District, North Sacramento, South Sacramento, East Sacramento, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom.
| Line name | Stations | Termini | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western/Northern | Eastern/Southern | ||
| Template:Rcb | 28 | Watt/I-80 | Cosumnes River College |
| Template:Rcb | 27 | Sacramento Valley | Historic Folsom |
| Template:Rcb | 7 | 7th & Richards/Township 9 | 13th Street |
Operating Hours and Service Frequency
The light rail system runs every day from 4:00 a.m. until midnight. During daytime hours, the Blue and Gold Lines provide service at 15-minute intervals, while early mornings and late evenings see trains every 30 minutes. East of Sunrise station, the Gold Line consistently operates on a 30-minute schedule throughout the entire day. The Green Line is available only on weekdays, with trains arriving every half hour during operating hours.
Stations
The network consists of 53 open-air stations, each equipped with passenger shelters. Of these, 26 stations offer connections to bus routes, and 22 feature park-and-ride facilities accommodating a total of 10,113 vehicles.
Stations with the highest average daily boardings include 16th Street (6,800 passengers), University/65th (3,000 passengers), Cosumnes River College (2,900 passengers), and 29th Street (2,900 passengers).
A number of stations display public artworks commissioned through the RT Public Art Program, which includes mosaics, sculptures, metal pieces, and murals that highlight the distinct character of each neighborhood served.
Rolling Stock
The light rail vehicle (LRV) fleet comprises 36 Siemens–Duewag U2A cars—some of which have been in operation since the system’s inception—40 CAF S/200 models delivered in 2003, and up to 76 Siemens S700 units beginning service in 2024. Subject to full funding approval, the S700s are intended to replace all older Siemens-Duewag and CAF vehicles. Sacramento RT plans to phase out the U2A fleet starting September 1, 2024, coinciding with the introduction of the new low-floor Siemens S700 LRVs. The agency has placed an order for 55 S700 units with options to acquire as many as 76 additional vehicles pending further financing.
| Number(s) | Qty | Built | Manufacturer | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 1 | 1912 | American Car Company | California car | Historic streetcar restored for special events |
| 101Template:Nbnd126 | 26 | 1985Template:Nbnd1986 | Siemens–Duewag | U2A | Scheduled for retirement beginning summer 2024 |
| 127Template:Nbnd136 | 10 | 1990Template:Nbnd1991 | |||
| 201Template:Nbnd240 | 40 | 2002Template:Nbnd2003 | CAF | S/200 | |
| '301-320' | '20' | '1985Template:Nbnd1987' | Urban Transportation Development Corporation | ALRV | Acquired from VTA in 2015; withdrawn from service in 2022. |
| 401-455 | 55+ | 2022Template:Nbnd2025+ | Siemens | S700 | Entered operation September 1, 2024; units 401–420 active with additional deliveries expected by mid-2025. |
Previous Rolling Stock
RT formerly operated a fleet of 20 ALRV vehicles built by Urban Transportation Development Corporation between 1985 and 1987 for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA). After VTA retired them, RT acquired and refurbished these cars through Siemens Mobility in 2015. Numbered 301–320 in RT service, these units were taken out of operation in 2022 due to reliability issues despite ongoing refurbishment and maintenance efforts.
Modernization of low-floor vehicles
As the Sacramento Light Rail system surpasses three decades of operation, SacRT is undertaking a comprehensive modernization effort spanning five years, concluding in 2027. Central to this initiative is the procurement of 55 new Siemens S700 low-floor light rail vehicles, which facilitate nearly level boarding to improve both accessibility and operational performance. These units entered intensive testing phases in early 2023 and are anticipated to commence passenger service by mid-2024.
Modifications to station platforms along the Blue and Gold Lines involve elevating them above the rail height to support bridge plates designed for passengers with mobility impairments. Stations constructed after 2006 already comply with these standards and thus require no alterations. Platform enhancements are being implemented in stages, temporarily shortening platform lengths during construction periods. Upgrades on the Blue Line are on hold until early 2026 but will then resume to accommodate three-car S700 train configurations, while Gold Line stations will be retrofitted to handle similar train lengths.
To boost service frequency in the Folsom corridor—currently operating at 30-minute intervals—SacRT is installing a second track between Park Shore Drive and Bidwell Street. This addition aims to enable 15-minute headways and includes constructing a new secondary platform at Glenn station. Work on this project commenced in January 2024.
On October 24, SacRT obtained funding for an extra 10 S700 light rail vehicles, increasing their initial order from 45 toward an option of up to 76 units. Simultaneously, 17 out of the 19 Blue Line stations are being adapted for low-floor vehicle boarding heights, removing the need for stairs and enhancing accessibility. This financial support guarantees the completion of station upgrades across the network.
Green Line extension to Sacramento International Airport
The Green Line expansion will introduce approximately 13 miles of new service reaching Sacramento International Airport through the Natomas district. This extension proceeds northwest from the existing terminus at 7th & Richards / Township 9 station. Although conceptualized since the early 1990s, this project remains the highest priority among Sacramento residents. The agency has finalized the draft environmental impact report for this expansion.
With an estimated cost nearing $1 billion, this represents RT's most expensive undertaking to date, presenting significant funding challenges. A proposed half-cent sales tax increase intended to finance the project was narrowly rejected by voters in November 2016.
Downtown Riverfront Streetcar
RT is advancing plans for the Downtown Riverfront Streetcar aimed at extending transit service into West Sacramento. This approximately 4-mile route would traverse the Tower Bridge and utilize shared light rail tracks to connect with Sacramento Valley Station. The streetcar is planned to operate using Siemens S700 vehicles, maintaining consistency with existing light rail rolling stock.