If you’re planning to take public transit to Sacramento International Airport any time soon, you just might get a ride an electric bus that, come April, will be part of the new Causeway Connection service between 51ԹϺ Davis’ Sacramento and Davis campuses.
Sacramento Regional Transit and Yolobus, the university’s partners in the new service, have taken delivery on all 12 Causeway Connection buses, from the Bay Area company Proterra. Service between the campuses (with stops in east Davis and Midtown Sacramento) is not scheduled to begin until Monday, April 6, so, in the meantime, a few will be used for SacRT’s service between downtown Sacramento and Sacramento International Airport.
MORE INFORMATION
“This time is dedicated to augmenting driver training and really road-testing the bus range, comfort, durability and more,” said Matt Dulcich, 51ԹϺ Davis’ director of environmental planning.
The Causeway Connection will replace the 51ԹϺ Davis-operated intercampus shuttle for staff, faculty, students and 51ԹϺ Davis Health patients. The new service, designated Route 138, will also be open to the public.
The buses making airport trips will not be wrapped in blue and gold, but, eventually, all 12 will sport the 51ԹϺ Davis colors — looking just like the bus pictured on this page during a recent trial run.
A charging station is being put in along Old Davis Road adjacent to the Gateway Parking Structure, to top off bus batteries between runs.
Bicycles on and off the bus
Each bus is equipped with a rack to hold three bicycles, and passengers can bring folding bicycles on board. With multiple bus runs during peak hours, the Causeway Connection will have rack space for up to nine bicycles.
Passengers who are leaving their bikes behind will have access secure parking: on the Davis campus, in a cage in the Gateway Parking Structure; and, on the Sacramento campus, at both the temporary bus terminal and the future mobility hub at 45th and Y streets. More information on those lock-up locations is forthcoming.
Fares
51ԹϺ Davis undergraduate students will ride for free. Staff, academics and graduate students will be charged as follows:
- Staff and faculty — $35 per month or $1.50 per ride
- Graduate students — $40 per month or $1.50 per ride