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CMAQ Commitment of Funding to I-5 Intercity Bus Service
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Requested Action(s)
recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the Executive Director or the Transportation Manager to formally commit $100,000 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding annually to support intercity bus service between Redding and Sacramento, in partnership with the Shasta Regional Transportation Agency (SRTA) and the Redding Area Bus Authority (RABA), and to take necessary administrative steps to transfer said funds to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in accordance with applicable regulations.
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Financial Impact:
TCTC proposes utilizing newly awarded supplemental regional CMAQ funding to contribute $100,000 annually to this service. Funding would be transferred from CMAQ to FTA through an allowable flexible fund transfer per 23 U.S.C. § 104(f), in support of operations under FTA Section 5311(f) Intercity Bus Program provisions.
This item also proposes to honor prior commitments made in 2018 and reaffirmed in 2021, which pledged a total of $200,000 in startup support toward the development and launch of regional intercity bus service between Redding and Sacramento.
Background Information:
In FY 2019, the Tehama County Transportation Commission (TCTC) contributed $100,000 in support of SRTA’s original “Salmon Runner” pilot project, which sought to improve interregional connectivity along the I-5 corridor between Redding and Sacramento. Since then, efforts to advance sustainable intercity transportation options have continued, culminating in a refined service concept spearheaded by SRTA and operated by RABA.
In 2021, the Commission received and supported a follow-up resolution affirming continued interest in a coordinated intercity bus program. At SRTA’s most recent board meeting, staff introduced a tentative funding plan requiring multi-agency contributions, including from TCTC, to fully implement the proposed service.
On April 24, 2025, TCTC issued a letter of conditional support to SRTA and RABA, indicating our intent to recommend a commitment of $50,000-$100,000 annually, subject to formal board action. This agenda item fulfills that commitment and enables a reliable funding stream from Tehama County to support meaningful access to Sacramento, including direct service to key regional destinations such as the State Capitol and Sacramento International Airport.