Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program - Santa Maria Rapid Transit

The City of Santa Maria has been awarded $17,544,169 in state funding through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to advance critical improvements to its public transit system as part of the broader Charging Forward Project led by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments. This investment focuses on developing a Bus Rapid Transit system along SR-135/Broadway with dedicated lanes, level boarding, and traffic signal priority to increase service reliability and ridership. The project also includes the installation of up to 35 electric bus chargers across three existing transit facilities—400 E. Boone St, 1401 W. Fairway Dr, and the Transit Yard at 1301 Fairway Dr—with potential future expansion to a vacant downtown site. The funding supports state goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing regional transit integration, and modernizing public transportation infrastructure. The project has been categorized under CEQA exemptions for existing facilities, replacement and reconstruction, and small structures, confirming that the improvements comply with environmental regulations without requiring a full environmental impact report. The Santa Maria City Council formally accepted the award through Resolution 2025-57 on May 6, 2025, and the City’s Transit Services Manager, Gamaliel Anguiano, is the primary point of contact overseeing implementation. While the procurement originated from a state grant application and does not include standard federal contract clauses, line-item pricing, or detailed performance schedules, the scope, location, and funding amount are clearly defined, with inspections and acceptance taking place at the designated project sites within Santa Maria. The initiative represents a significant step toward transitioning the city’s transit fleet to zero-emission vehicles and improving connectivity across the regional network.