SolTrans
| Company type | Joint powers authority |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Headquarters | Vallejo, California , United States |
Area served | Southern Solano County, California |
| Products | Local and express bus services, paratransit, Dial-a-Ride |
| Website | www |
SolTrans, formally known as Solano County Transit, is a joint powers authority that delivers public transit services throughout southern Solano County, California, serving municipalities such as Vallejo and Benicia. Created in 2011 through the consolidation of Vallejo Transit and Benicia Breeze, SolTrans currently manages 16 routes concentrating on these primary areas. In , the agency reported an annual ridership of , with an average weekday patronage of as of .
History
The origins of SolTrans can be traced back to early independent bus operators in southern Solano County during the early 1900s, which were eventually absorbed by municipal authorities before uniting into the present-day organization.
Vallejo Transit
The Vallejo Bus Company was established in 1919 by Hartley Lowell. Following multiple changes in ownership, the City of Vallejo took over operations in 1949 but discontinued service in 1956 due to budgetary constraints. In response, local advocates led by Senator Luther Gibson created the Vallejo Citizens Transit Corporation (VCTC) to sustain transit services. The city transferred its fleet of 13 buses to VCTC, which commenced operations under the name Vallejo Transit Lines on May 1.
Benicia Breeze
Founded in 1915 by Milo Passalacqua, the Benicia-Vallejo Stage Line linked Mare Island and Benicia through Vallejo’s train stations and ferry terminals. In 1982, the City of Benicia introduced Benicia Dial-a-Ride, a demand-responsive transit option for local residents. By July 1, 1986, this service expanded to include a fixed route connecting to the Pleasant Hill BART station, known as the Benicia Bay Connection. The city also provided subsidies to support the Benicia-Vallejo Stage Line. On October 1, 1986, these services combined under the name Benicia Transit, initially operated by Community Transit Services and later acquired by Laidlaw. Throughout the 1990s, Benicia Transit introduced additional routes such as the Southampton Express (1991–2001) and various school tripper services, procured five secondhand Gillig Phantom buses, and began serving Martinez Amtrak station from 1994 to 1997, dedicating a specific route there by 2005.
In 2000, MV Transportation secured the contract to operate Benicia Transit and acquired majority ownership of VCTC five years afterward, making it a subsidiary. The Benicia Flyer route was briefly active in 2001 before being replaced by the Benicia Rocket, which served the Industrial Park area. By October 2005, all routes were assigned numbers: main Vallejo/Pleasant Hill route became Route 75; Amtrak service was Route 23; school tripper routes were numbered 15–18.
The system was rebranded as Benicia Breeze in 2006, transitioning dial-a-ride services into deviated fixed routes and reducing school tripper routes to two. Eventually, Route 75 was replaced by Vallejo Transit’s Route 78, extending service coverage to Walnut Creek.
Merger
Initial merger talks between Benicia Transit and Vallejo Transit started in 2005 but intensified in 2009 amid declining ridership and revenue losses linked to the Great Recession. In August 2009, Benicia’s city council approved a study on forming a new transit agency alongside the Solano Transit Authority (STA). On November 16, 2010, both cities formalized a joint powers authority agreement with STA, establishing Solano County Transit (SolTrans). The chosen name was selected from fifteen options to facilitate potential future expansion into a countywide transit entity.
In 2013, National Express Transit took over operational responsibilities from MV Transportation for SolTrans. Transdev assumed operations in July 2021.
Services
SolTrans delivers both local and express bus transportation throughout Solano County, serving cities such as Vallejo, Benicia, and Fairfield. The agency also provides express service routes connecting to Contra Costa County destinations including El Cerrito, Pleasant Hill, and Walnut Creek, offering vital links to the BART system. Furthermore, SolTrans administers ADA complementary paratransit services in Vallejo and Benicia, as well as a general public Dial-a-Ride program within Benicia.
The ferry route from Vallejo to San Francisco, previously overseen by Vallejo Transit, is currently operated by San Francisco Bay Ferry under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA).
SolanoExpress
SolanoExpress is a regional express bus network that connects Solano County with Contra Costa County and the Sacramento Valley. This service, run by SolTrans on behalf of the Solano Transportation Authority, enhances regional transit options across major corridors. Established in 1990 as a joint powers authority comprising Solano County and its municipalities, the Solano Transportation Authority acts as the county’s congestion management agency, responsible for coordinating transportation planning and funding initiatives.
Transit stations
SolTrans manages three primary transit centers located in Vallejo.
Vallejo Transit Center
Serving as both the headquarters for SolTrans and its main transfer station, the Vallejo Transit Center was constructed through a contract with STV Incorporated. The facility includes 12 bus bays and opened in 2011, significantly improving transit infrastructure and operational capabilities in the area.
Curtola Park & Ride
Situated in South Vallejo, California, the Curtola Park & Ride is a crucial bus hub supporting local routes, commuter lines, and longer-distance services, featuring 419 parking spaces. In 2015, this station underwent a $10 million renovation aimed at expanding capacity and upgrading amenities.
From Curtola, SolTrans operates multiple routes such as local route 3 serving the Glen Cove District, intercity Line 78 to Walnut Creek BART station, and route 80 providing service to El Cerrito del Norte BART station. The location also accommodates casual carpooling and vanpooling activities alongside housing SolTrans' operations and maintenance facilities.
In 2013, there were concerns expressed regarding potential increases in parking fees at this site.
Sereno Transit Center
The Sereno Transit Center functions as a bus station located in North Vallejo.
Routes
As of July 1, 2019, SolTrans manages a total of 16 bus routes: nine local lines, three additional school supplemental routes within Vallejo and Benicia, plus three intercity connections.
| Route | Destination | Service notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadway | Operates daily |
| 2 | Northeast | Monday through Saturday service |
| 3 | South Vallejo | Monday through Saturday service |
| 4 | Tuolumne | Monday through Saturday service |
| 5 | Fairgrounds | Monday through Saturday service |
| 6 | Tennessee | Monday through Saturday service |
| 7A clockwise / 7B counterclockwise | Daily operation | |
| 8 | Glen Cove | Monday through Saturday service |
| 15 | Benicia Schools – Rose Dr | School days only service |
| 17 | Benicia Schools – Hastings | School days only service |
| 38 | Glen Cove – Jesse Bethel | School days only service |
| R | Red Line: I-80 Express | Operates daily |
| 82 | San Francisco Express | Limited weekday operations |
| Y | Yellow Line: I-680 Express | Daily operation |
Fleet and livery
SolTrans manages a varied collection of buses. After completing its full merger in 2011, the agency introduced Gillig Low Floor hybrid buses dedicated to local routes, whereas MCI D4500 coaches remain in use for intercity travel. The fleet also comprises a small number of Orion V buses previously operated by Vallejo Transit, alongside compact cutaway buses from Starcraft Bus and ElDorado National, which serve Paratransit and Dial-a-Ride programs. Every bus is equipped to accommodate bicycles and is accessible for wheelchair users.
In 2017, the fleet was enhanced with two new vehicle types and a refreshed paint scheme: an improved compressed natural gas (CNG) powered D4500 model and the fully electric low-floor transit bus, the BYD K9M.