[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 58 (Thursday, March 30, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SACRAMENTO REGIONAL TRANSIT

 Mr. PADILLA. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 
Sacramento Regional Transit District on 50 years of service, helping 
Californians commute to work, visit loved ones, and explore the 
beautiful county of Sacramento.
  Since first providing service in 1973, Sacramento Regional Transit, 
or SacRT, has grown to include over 97 electric light rail vehicles and 
over 230 buses, traversing 440 square miles to include the cities of 
Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Citrus Heights, and Rancho Cordova.
  Throughout that time, SacRT has been committed to finding new ways to 
serve Californians, by spearheading an on-demand microtransit service 
accessible via mobile app, and by converting 10 buses into WiFi 
hotspots during the height of the pandemic when internet access was a 
necessity for school, work, and public health.
  By providing free fares for K-12 students, SacRT has helped countless 
students pursue their education without having to worry about affording 
a ride to school. During a time of unprecedented weather events in 
California, SacRT also partnered with the city of Sacramento to provide 
free bus rides to warming centers for individuals experiencing 
homelessness.
  SacRT has fought to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases. Their 
leadership in renewable energy, accessibility, and service have been 
rightly recognized by both State and Federal agencies.
  In the capital of the fourth largest economy in the world, SacRT is 
an integral part of the community, constantly finding ways to better 
serve the people of Sacramento who rely on it for affordable transit. 
After 50 years of service, Californians know SacRT can get you ``where 
you want to go, when you want to go.'' And we are excited to see where 
the next 50 years will take us.

                          ____________________