To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Sonoma County Public Infrastructure
Staff Name and Phone Number: Johannes J. Hoevertsz, 707-565-2550
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Regional Measure 3 Funds for Electric Bus Purchase
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Director of Public Infrastructure to submit an allocation request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for Regional Measure 3 funds for the purchase of four electric buses.
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Executive Summary:
Sonoma County Transit is planning to purchase four, 40-foot electric buses. The buses are planned to be financed using a combination of Regional Measure 3, State Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), and local Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. To obtain Regional Measure 3 funds, the County must submit an allocation request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. This item authorizes that allocation request.
Discussion:
In 2018, Bay Area voters approved Regional Measure 3 (RM3) which included a phased toll increase on the Bay Area’s seven state-owned toll bridges to finance highway and transit improvements. The RM3 Expenditure Plan provides funds dedicated to Highway 101 Corridor-Specific Capital Projects including Project 26 North Bay Transit Access Improvements. $3.6 million in RM3 funds are allocated to Sonoma County Transit for the purchase of four, 40-foot electric buses. Combined with TIRCP and TDA funds, the new electric buses will replace four CNG-fueled buses in Sonoma County Transit’s fleet that are due for retirement.
The 40-foot electric buses are planned for use on Sonoma County Transit’s intercity routes, serving the Highway 101 corridor between Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, and Petaluma. Provided that a contract with a bus manufacturer is finalized by the end of calendar year 2025, all four buses are expected to be delivered by early spring 2028.
The requested Resolution will authorize the Director of Public Infrastructure to submit the allocation request to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the planned bus purchase. The Resolution also contains and accepts terms and conditions required by MTC for all such allocations, including use restrictions and a requirement to indemnify and hold harmless MTC with regard to County’s use of the funding.
Strategic Plan:
NA
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
None
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no direct fiscal impact as a result of this Board Item. While the Resolution is required to have funds allocated, the timing of the disbursement of funds from RM3 is dependent on the delivery of the four buses. Transit will be returning to the Board for final approval of the bus purchases and will provide detailed financial information at that time.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
RM3 Allocation Request, RM3 Initial Project Report, Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A