| San Bernardino County Transportation Authority | |
| Began Operation: | as San Bernardino Associated Governments[1] |
| Headquarters: | San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot San Bernardino, California |
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the successor to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG).[2] They are responsible for administering the Measure I half-cent tax which voters in San Bernardino County, California, passed most recently in 2004. The SBCTA conducts transportation planning, construction, and operation in San Bernardino County. The SBCTA is a joint powers authority comprising the entire county and its cities. Every city and county supervisor is provided one seat on the board, and it also includes a nonvoting member from the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) District 8.
In 2016, Senate bill 1305, consolidated five different transit agencies into SBCTA. Those agencies were County Transportation Commission, County Transportation Authority, Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies, Congestion Management Agency, and Subregional Planning Agency.[3]
In 2019, SBCTA mulled direct takeover of Omnitrans due to its 520 million dollar deficit.[4] In response to pressure of county supervisors, SBCTA initiated a study of consolidation of Omnitrans called SBCTA County-wide Transit Efficiency Study.[5] By the end of 2020, SBCTA balked at the idea of consolidating Omnitrans under SBCTA due to pension obligations.[6]
SBCTA operates with a budget of 1.160 billion dollars as of the 2023 fiscal year[7]
The SBCTA and Caltrans completed the $929.2 million Phase 1 project to add tolled express lanes to Interstate 10 (I-10) from the Los Angeles County line to Interstate 15 (I-15).[8] Under Phase 1, 18 bridges throughout the corridor will either be replaced or widened to accommodate the new toll lanes.[9] It is expected to be completed by 2023.[10] [11]
In 2018, SBCTA choose Transportation Corridor Agencies to be account and payment processing partner for SB Express Lanes[12] [13]
The SBCTA has planned to implement tolled express lanes to I-15 from the Riverside County line to Duncan Canyon Boulevard. Construction is expected to begin in 2023. The project is expected to cost $469.65 million.[14]
The SBCTA conducts transportation planning for San Bernardino County, California, as well as aligning with plans from neighboring agencies.
Due to automobile damage sustained to the North First Avenue Bridge in Barstow, the SBCTA took over the replacement of the bridge from the city due to its critical importance, since it passes over the BNSF Southern Transcon rail corridor and yard. The expected cost of the project is $62 million. Currently, it is in the design phase to replace the 1930's bridge.[15] [16] [17]
The West Valley Connector, also known as the sbX Purple Line,[18] is a 35adj=midNaNadj=mid bus rapid transit project spearheaded by the SBCTA that will connect Pomona with Fontana.[19] The first phase is a 19adj=midNaNadj=mid segment that will run along Holt Boulevard to Ontario International Airport and Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga station.[20] Phase 1 will have 21 stations along the route.
As a cost-effective solution compared to the proposed extension of the Foothill Extension project from Montclair Transcenter to Ontario International Airport, estimated at around $1-1.5 billion,[21] the SBCTA and the airport are currently in the process of trying to implement a tunnel with autonomous, zero-emission vehicles on an "on-demand" basis from the Metrolink San Bernardino Line's Rancho Cucamonga station to Ontario International Airport.[22]
Initially, The Boring Company proposed constructing a single 2.8miles tunnel similar to the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop that would cost $60 million.[23] However, the company eventually dropped out of the project because they refused to submit another refined proposal.[24]
Despite this, the SBCTA moved forward with plans on the project.[25] The new plans for the project include two 4.2miles tunnels that will cost roughly $492 million.[26] The SBCTA selected HNTB as their new contractor to design, build, and maintain the project.[27]
The SBCTA is in the process of double-tracking Metrolink's San Bernardino Line from CP Lilac to Rialto station to increase capacity and frequency within San Bernardino County.[28]
The SBCTA provides transit funding for all the bus transit agencies in San Bernardino County. It is also responsible for the oversight of Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit Authority (VVTA), Needles Area Transit (NAT), Mountain Transit, and Basin Transit.[29]
In 2023, SBCTA expanded its Free Fares for School K-12 program to all transit agencies in order to boost transit use with San Bernardino County Youth.[30]
San Bernardino County is served by and partially funds three of Metrolink's lines. This includes the San Bernardino Line, which has the highest ridership of the entire system, the Inland Empire–Orange County Line, which terminates at the San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot and San Bernardino–Downtown stations, and the Riverside Line, which serves Ontario–East station.
Arrow, formerly the Redlands Passenger Rail Project (RPRP or RPR), is a commuter rail line which runs from the San Bernardino Transit Center in Downtown San Bernardino in the west to the University of Redlands in Redlands in the east. Simulated service testing commenced on September 12, 2022.[31] Service commenced on October 24, 2022.[32]
In 2019, SBCTA ordered Zero emissions multiple unit from Stadler for the Arrow line.[33] The trainset is expected to be in operation by 2024[34]
SBCTA administers the County's van pool Commuter service called SB Loop. Currently the system consists of 72 vehicles, averaging 37,000 trips per quarter. SBCTA also subsidizes Victor Valley Transit Authority's van pool. Averaging 119,400 trips per quarter in 189 vehicles [35]
In order to reduce congestion, the SBCTA implemented the Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), whose purpose is to tow stranded motorists within the urbanized area of San Bernardino County. Service operates during peak traffic times.[36]
The SBCTA maintains a countywide active transportation plan. Although San Bernardino County is vast, much of the population is concentrated in the San Bernardino Valley portion in the county's southwest corner. The SBCTA requires complete streets within San Bernardino County when cities apply for roadway expansion grants.[37] [38] [39]
The Pacific Electric Trail is a 21-mile (34-kilometer) rail trail that has been constructed along the former San Bernardino Line.[40] The Baldwin Park Subdivision within San Bernardino county is owned by SBCTA. SBCTA currently licenses the railroad right of way as a class one bike trail to the cities within the rail corridor. The city of Rialto has expressed in expanding the bike trail to SBCTA, once Union Pacific abandons the rail service in the eastern 2.5 miles of the subdivision.[41] [42]