GALT, CA (MPG) - A bill giving Galt the option to join a regional public transit district recently became law with broad support from state lawmakers and local governments.

Gov. Gavin Newsom on July 15 signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1924, which allows the city of Galt and parts of Sacramento County to opt in to transit services from Sacramento Regional Transportation District (SacRT). Galt currently receives bus service through Sacramento County’s South County Transit system.

The bill was introduced by Assembly Member Stephanie Nguyen, D-Elk Grove. Nguyen represents the 10th Assembly District, which includes Elk Grove and south Sacramento. Multiple Sacramento region legislators signed on as coauthors, including Galt’s legislative representatives, Assembly Member Heath Flora, R-Ripon, and State Sen. Roger Niello, R-Fair Oaks.

In written comment to the Herald, Nguyen said expanding SacRT’s possible range would “bring greater connectivity to the City of Galt and provide clean transportation solutions to those without good access.”

Assembly Bill 1924 breezed through the Legislature with no opposition and with support from the city of Galt, SacRT and all five Sacramento County supervisors. A unanimous vote in the Assembly sent the finalized bill to the governor on June 20.

Galt City Manager Chris Erias reiterated the city’s support for the legislation.

“We’re excited about it,” Erias said in an interview. “We do support the bill. This isn’t like an indication that we’re unhappy with the current transportation provider. But I think not only did we have Council support; there’s been overall public support.”

Erias said city staff is interested in a more regional, cooperative approach to transit, which he said would be helped by SacRT’s “massive resources.” He said Galt commuters could benefit from the transit district’s services.

Besides authorizing Galt to join SacRT, the bill gives the same option to Isleton, and to unincorporated county areas “where the county has declared a need for the district to operate.”

In responses to written questions, a SacRT spokesperson noted that, in recent years, three cities — Elk Grove, Folsom and Citrus Heights — have agreed to annex their transit systems into SacRT. The transit district began operating Elk Grove buses in 2019 and the full annexation took place in 2021.

“As a result, SacRT is providing integrated regional connections, realizing economies of scale and is better positioned to secure grant funding,” the comments read. “SacRT is always looking to improve the mobility options for residents of Sacramento County and ensure they have alternatives to driving.”

The spokesperson said that the process of annexation would require SacRT and the city of Galt to negotiate a contract, which would then need approval from the SacRT board of directors and Galt City Council.

SacRT provides various bus routes throughout its service area, as well as a light rail system that branches out of Sacramento as far as Folsom in the northeast and Cosumnes River College in the south.

Asked what services SacRT might provide and how annexation would affect service through South County Transit, the spokesperson said it is “too early to comment on the arrangement of the partnership” until SacRT, the city and the county can negotiate an agreement.

Commenting before Newsom signed AB1924, the spokesperson said SacRT was “excited” that the bill had backing from Sacramento-area lawmakers and that it passed the Legislature unanimously.

In a statement to the Legislature supporting the bill, SacRT emphasized that the bill does not require Galt’s annexation. 

Other areas authorized to join SacRT that have not done so are the cities of Davis, Roseville, West Sacramento and Woodland, and parts of Yolo County.

“SacRT fully supports this legislation, and we look forward to working with Galt and Sacramento County to explore the potential for expanding our service to cover Galt, which would improve regional connectivity,” SacRT’s legislative statement read.

Erias said the city would continue on its South County Transit contract, which lasts through 2026, before considering a SacRT annexation.

Erias commended SacRT’s service. He took SacRT buses to work early in his career, finding them “on time,” “clean” and “professional.”

“Professionally, I certainly prefer RT and support the bill in that way,” Erias said. “And then personally, I have personal experience of the high-quality service that RT brings.”