DSP helping shape the future of RT Downtown
In anticipation of the opening of the Golden 1 Center in fall 2016, Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) invited DSP and other key business leaders to serve on an Advisory Panel looking at RT’s service as it relate to the new arena. The panel’s purpose is to provide the RT board, RT management, and the general public honest and constructive advice about how to improve the RT system.
As a member of the Advisory Panel, DSP has advocated for attention for clear performance standards and accountability on station/stop cleanliness, safety, and location/consolidation, developing an operational plan specific to Golden 1 Center, as well as long-term strategic improvements.
For many attendees of the future Golden 1 Center, their first encounter with this exciting new experience won’t be at the turnstiles of the arena; rather, it will be using RT buses and light rail trains (LRT) to get to the venues. Many will be using these transit options for the first time. That means RT has to do some things differently in order to facilitate and complement the experience offered by a new urban entertainment and sports complex downtown.
The new Golden 1 Center will be the single largest potential trip generator on the LRT and bus system. For this reason, it will provide a tremendous opportunity to make a positive first impression with special event riders and, if done right, it will lead to new choice riders at other times and for other trip purposes.
RT has identified $5.8 million to improve light rail stations surrounding the Golden 1 Center and the Downtown Commons. These improvements, ranging from signage to shelters and lighting, will be phased in over the next 12 months.
“We want people to choose to take public transportation to events at the Golden 1 Center,” said Dion Dwyer, Director of Community Services for DSP. “Investing in significant improvements to the Regional Transit system is critical to provide riders with a more convenient and reliable experience.”
In addition to those improvements, effective October 1, DSP’s Clean Streets team will begin maintenance services to 10 LRT stops and 24 bus stops in the urban core. This will also enhance the rider experience and encourage more people to use public transportation. As outlined in the contract with RT, DSP will provide the following maintenance services:
- Daily trash abatement and litter removal
- Graffiti removal as needed
- Biweekly deep cleaning to include pressure washing of concrete ramps and sidewalk, painting, maintenance of benches, and cleaning of RT equipment (fare machines and connect card terminals)
For a map of the LRT stops and bus stations where DSP will be providing maintenance services, click here. For maintenance service requests at LRT stops or bus stations, please call 916.442.2200.
Learn more about the Regional Transit system-wide improvement initiative here.