Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program - Santa Maria Rapid Transit

The Santa Maria Rapid Transit project, identified as Project No. SP2025-0008, is a capital improvement initiative funded through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Following a partnership between the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments and several regional transit agencies, the California State Transportation Agency awarded $51,130,000 to the SBCAG Charging Forward Project. From this allocation, the Santa Maria City Council accepted $17,544,169 specifically for Santa Maria Rapid Transit improvements. The project aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand transit services by implementing a Bus Rapid Transit system along the State Route 135/Broadway corridor, which will include dedicated bus lanes, level boarding stations, and signal priority. The scope of work encompasses significant infrastructure developments, including the establishment of electric bus opportunity charging facilities and the potential acquisition or enhancement of transit administration buildings. Key performance sites include the City of Santa Maria Transit Center at 400 East Boone Street, which may receive additional administrative space and up to eighteen transit chargers, as well as facilities at 1401 West Fairway Drive and the SMRT Operations and Maintenance Yard to support rapid charging for electric buses. The project has been granted an exemption from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as the proposed improvements are considered to have no significant environmental effects beyond those previously analyzed.