New electric bus will reduce 'psychic distance' between Sacramento and UC Davis, mayor says

Rendering of the Causeway Connection bus

A new intercity electric bus service linking UC Davis and Sacramento is expected to launch this April, boosting the connection between the school and the capital city while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) Board of Directors is scheduled to vote Monday on approving the service, which will be branded the Causeway Connection.

The 12 new shuttles were purchased by Electrify America, the Volkswagen subsidiary, as part of its $44-million Green City initiative to promote electric vehicle adoption in Sacramento. They will replace a private shuttle service that operates diesel buses between the Davis campus and the UC Davis Medical Center. The new service will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Unlike the current shuttle between UC Davis and the Medical Center, Causeway Connection will be open to the public and run more frequently than the current shuttles – approximately every 20 minutes during peak hours and hourly in midday. It will include stops in Davis, downtown Sacramento and the UC Davis Medical Center campus. Fares will be the standard RT rate of $2.50, or $1.25 for those who qualify for a discount fare.

Creating the electric shuttle service linking the two cities has been a top priority of Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg.

“This signature investment will shrink the psychic distance that now separates Sacramento from our region’s research engine,” said Mayor Steinberg. “This collaboration is vital as we work together on projects like Aggie Square, the new research campus in Sacramento where we hope to create thousands of jobs. This is a major piece of our economic development strategy.”

The service will be run in tandem by SacRT and Yolobus. Each transit agency will operate six of the shuttles.

“We are very excited to launch this zero-emission frequent bus service that will help connect two major hubs,” said SacRT General Manager and CEO Henry Li. “SacRT is always working to grow our services and create better mobility solutions for the region.”

A Proterra Catalyst bus

Terry Bassett, Executive Director of the Yolo County Transportation District, said the “planned jointly-operated expansion of public transit service along the heavily congested I-80 corridor will increase access and mobility options for residents of Davis and Sacramento to clean, safe and affordable transportation, and will continue to promote mass transit and local congestion reduction.”

“The partnership’s efforts will result in an increase of up to 73 percent of the number of trips connecting key regional destinations,” Bassett added. “Further, the partnership allows YCTD to leverage local funding towards increased federal and state funds and grant opportunities, while maintaining a high-quality level of service our existing customers are accustomed to.”

Operating costs for the shuttle are expected to run about $1.6 million annually and will be funded over the next three years by a combination of fare revenue, a $3 million grant for improving air quality, assistance from UC Davis, a first year contribution from the City of Sacramento and SacRT operating funds.

The Proterra E2 Catalyst buses purchased for the service are made in California at Proterra’s factory in the City of Industry. Electrify America is also paying for the installation of bus chargers at SacRT and Yolobus yards, as well as UC Davis and the UC Davis Medical Center.

The shuttles are the latest component of Electrify America’s plan to establish Sacramento as its first Green City. EA earlier launched GiG, a free-floating electric car share service; and Envoy, a fleet of electric vehicles for rent by residents of low-income apartment complexes throughout Sacramento. EA also installed high-speed electric chargers around the city.

UC Davis recently hosted open houses on both of its campuses to provide more information to current and future riders. It is posting updates on the Causeway Connection webpage.