Category: Press Release

ERIK REITZ NAMED YCTD’S NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR  

Image of Erik Reitz, New YCTD Deputy Director for Transit Operations and Planning.

Woodland, Calif. (Aug 31, 2022): Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD), the operator of Yolobus, is excited to announce Erik Reitz as its next Deputy Director for Transit Operations and Planning. Reitz will begin his service at YCTD on August 22, 2022.

Reitz originally started his career as an intern with YCTD. Since then, Reitz has dedicated over 18 years of his career to transportation operations and planning in Yolo and Sacramento County. Most recently he served as the Grants Manager with the Sacramento Regional Transit, where he managed the $1.2 Billion Capital Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. His work has improved infrastructure and transit in the region.

“All of us at YCTD see an opportunity to meaningfully improve our public transit in Yolo County, and we are thrilled to have Erik lead us in this exciting stage of growth,” said Autumn Bernstein, Executive Director of YCTD. “We are thrilled to welcome Erik back to YCTD.”

Reitz joins YCTD at an exciting time as the District prepares to launch increased service on our popular Yolobus Route 42 (intercity loop) in September and launch new microtransit in Woodland next January. Reitz’s extensive knowledge and experience will help YCTD continue to make transit more reliable, effective, and accessible.

Reitz is a lifelong resident of Davis, California. He attended school at the California State University of Sacramento, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.

About: The Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) provides community-oriented, environmentally friendly transit services and programs that are accessible to all members of the public. This includes Yolobus public bus services that is designed to help everyone reach their destination.

Yolobus Route 42A/B Gets An Upgrade

Yolobus Intercity Route 42A/B will launch improved service starting September 19 and will offer free rides until October 31.

Route 42B Yolobus servicing Capitol Mall in Sacramento.
Route 42B Yolobus servicing Capitol Mall in Sacramento.

 

Woodland, Calif. (Aug 24, 2022): Getting around Yolo County is about to become more convenient, thanks to the Yolo County Transportation District’s improvements to Yolobus Route 42A/B!

The service change, launching Sep. 19, 2022, will feature key enhancements that will make Route 42A/B faster and more reliable. By increasing morning bus trip frequencies to every 30 minutes, eliminating low-use bus stops, and rerouting to better align with current traffic trends, the route will allow greater flexibility and convenience for riders.

To encourage people to try the newly-improved service, Yolobus will be providing free rides on Route 42A/B from Sep. 19th until Oct 31st. No tickets or passes are necessary – just hop on and ride! Whether you’re a daily commuter or a first-time rider, this is a great chance to check out the improved services.

The bi-directional, intercity route will continue to conveniently serve key destinations like downtown Sacramento, the Sacramento International Airport (SMF), downtown Davis, UC Davis Memorial Union and Raley Field in West Sacramento.. The expansion of Route 42 will also provide residents, visitors, and workers with better connectivity to other transit providers, such as Sacramento Regional Transit, the Capitol Corridor, and West Sacramento On-Demand.

Route 42A/B service will operate Monday-Sunday, starting from 5 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Starting Nov. 1, Route 42A/B will begin to charge passengers. The cost to ride the 42A/B will be the same as all Yolobus intercity routes: $2.25 per boarding, or $93.50 per monthly pass. Passes can be quickly and conveniently purchased by downloading ZipPass, Yolobus’s new ticketing smartphone app. More information on ZipPass can be found at Yolobus.com/ZipPass

The launch of the Route 42 Expansion is part of YoloGo, an ongoing regional effort to improve Yolobus transit services so they better serve the community. The expansion will increase frequency on route 42A/B to 30-minutes during peak periods.

For new schedule, route maps, and general information on the expansion, visit Yolobus.com/YoloGo-42

YCTD STANDS WITH THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY

Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) condemns hate and champions its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion for all community members.

 

Woodland, Calif. (Jul 1, 2022): At the Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD), we believe in a world that is fair and includes all people. With the recent event in Downtown Woodland, YCTD would like to announce that we stand by our LGBTQIA+ employees, passengers, families, and friends and will continue to work towards making public transit accessible to all members of our community.

“One of the wonderful things about public transit is that it is there for everyone, rich and poor, whatever race or ethnicity, and yes, for gay, straight, trans–everyone,” said Woodland City Councilmember & YCTD Vice Chair, Tom Stallard

YCTD Board members also condemn the hateful acts that occurred at the inclusive gathering yesterday.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the heart of Yolo County. The Board of the Yolo County Transportation District is committed to serving our entire community,” said Yolo County Supervisor & YCTD Chair, Don Saylor. “What happened at Mojo’s Lounge & Kitchen is unacceptable. Acts of hatred targeting our LGBTQIA+ community make all of our community less safe for everyone. This is an opportunity for us to come together and show that hate does not belong in Yolo.”

In hopes of providing access to resources, YCTD is donating 100 complementary Yolobus ride tickets to CommuniCare’s Elevate Queer Yolo, a program that provides inclusive health care for LGBTQIA+ people at all stages of their lives.

YCTD will work towards partnering with other community organizations to help provide more access to underserved groups in Yolo County and continue its commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion for all.

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For more information please contact Christopher Quan Le at CQuanle@yctd.org or (530) 402-2821.

Yolo Commute Offers Members $200 For New Bike for May is Bike Month

Woodland, Calif. (April 26, 2022): Get ready to dust the winter cobwebs off your bike, because May is Bike Month! Every May, Yolo Commute teams up with other organizations around the Sacramento region to celebrate cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. During May, Yolo Commute encourages residents to take advantage of the warmer weather and try cycling.

Helping more riders hit the road, Yolo Commute is offering its members at participating local businesses and organizations up to $200 to apply towards purchasing a new bike or $100 to use towards bike gear, key apparel, bike services, or bike classes. Yolo Commute invites all Yolo County businesses and organizations to be a part of its program and provide their staff with wonderful benefits.

To make things even more fun, Yolo Commute is excited to be participating in the 16th Annual May is Bike Month hosted by Love to Ride. Throughout May, riders can team up and compete to win prizes just by riding their bikes. Riders may find out more and register at mayisbikemonth.com.

Biking is a great way to get around, whether it’s for fun, for daily commuting, or to the nearest Yolobus stop, Yolo Commute helps people access alternative modes of transportation with cash incentives throughout the month of May.

About Yolo Commute: The Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) operates Yolo Commute, a non-profit organization that works with local employers and residential property owners to encourage biking, walking and transit. Yolo Commute works with different partners to provide programs and resources to Yolo County residents and improve mobility in the region.

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For more information, please contact Daisy Romero at dromero@yctd.org or (530) 402-2864.

 

Yolobus Express Buses to Downtown Sacramento Return April 4

Yolobus will restore suspended bus routes that provide direct service from Davis and Woodland to Downtown Sacramento.

Woodland, Calif. (March 16, 2022): Yolobus Express Buses returns Monday, April 4 to provide convenient travel between Davis, Woodland and Downtown Sacramento. The express bus service will add fast, direct trips from Davis and Woodland, to popular destinations in Downtown Sacramento.

Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) is excited to bring these routes back after suspending them temporarily due to a bus driver shortage. Thanks to actions taken by the YCTD Board of Directors, and considerable hiring and training efforts from the District’s bus operation contractor, TransDev, the District can bring back these routes just in time for Spring and Summer activities to begin!

Express bus routes that will be reopening includes:

  • 43 (Davis/Sacramento)
  • 43R (Sacramento/Davis)
  • 45 (Woodland/Sacramento)
  • 230 (Davis/Sacramento)

Express bus fare is only $3.25 each way for riders ages 19-61. Riders ages 62 and older and those with disabilities ride for just $1.50 each way, and youth up to age 18 ride free! Monthly passes for regular riders are also available through the Connect Card, with more information available at connecttransitcard.com.

Convenient information on Yolobus services, routes, and schedules is available at Yolobus.com or by calling (530) 666-2877.

YCTD Welcomes Abbanat as New Senior Planner

Image of YCTD's new Senior Planner, Brian Abbanat
YCTD’s new Senior Planner of Mutimodal Projects, Brian Abbanat

Woodland, Calif. (March 10, 2022): After an extensive recruitment process, the Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) is pleased to announce Brian Abbanat as its next Senior Planner for Multimodal Projects. Abbanat beings his service at YCTD on March 9, 2022.

Abbanat brings over twenty-six years of transportation planning knowledge and experience to the District. Abbanat has served in various capacities around the Sacramento region, most recently as the Senior Transportation Planner for the City of Davis. His work in multimodal transportation planning and policy management has helped improve the City’s transportation systems function more effectively, efficiently, and equitably for Davis and Yolo County residents.

“Bringing in a seasoned planner was important to us, but bringing in someone who also understands the needs of the community was crucial. Brian is the exact person the District needs right now to help move forward key mobility projects for Yolo County,” said Autumn Bernstein, Executive Director of YCTD.

Abbanat’s knowledge and experience working on projects in the City of Davis will help YCTD tackle the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvements Project, which aims to ease congestion, speed up transit and improve bicycle travel between Davis and Sacramento.

Additionally, Abbanat will lead the District in planning the RAISE Intercity Trails project. This project aspires to develop a modern, safe, and accessible network of intercity bicycle paths connecting cities and rural communities in Yolo County. Abbanat’s experience in developing bicycle and pedestrian-friendly facilities for the City of Davis will be a great asset in implementing this project.

In his new role, Abbanat will lead the development of multimodal transportation plans, programs, and policies. He will also be responsible for developing funding applications to secure state, federal, and regional grants, managing contracts, and more.

About: The Yolo County Transportation District has kept people moving since 1982 by providing affordable, convenient mobility options to our community, including Yolobus and YOUR Ride Microtransit. We also partner with local and state agencies to continually improve all aspects of Yolo County’s transportation system so that residents have easy access to jobs, schools, shopping, and essential services.