Paso Robles City Council
April 1, 2025

SLO RTA Presentation on Public
Transit Services in Paso Robles
Geoff Straw, Executive Director
Overview of
Transit
Services
Ridership Trends
Ridership Trends
Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
• Began planning for zero-emission buses in 2017
• Ordered first two BEBs from GILLIG in May 2022
• $1,040,660/each
• Largest battery capacity available(686kWh)
• Delivered March 2024
• Placed into revenue
service in July 2024
RTA Short Range Transit
Plan Update
2025 - 2031
What is a Short Range Transit Plan?
• Population
Trends
• Transit Issues
• Transit
Performance
Evaluates
Existing
Conditions
• New and
Modified
Routes
• Span of
Service
Changes
• Alternative
Modes
Develops
Potential
Solutions
• Service Plan
•Capital Plan
• Financial Plan
Results in a
Five-Year
“Business
Plan”
Winter 2024 Spring and Summer
2024
Early 2025
RTA North County Service Plan Elements
 Add Paso Robles High School and Daniel Lewis
Middle School Tripper
• Addresses increase in student ridership and
suspension of school bus service
• Increases ridership by 1,100 trips annually
• Increases annual operating costs by $19,700
 Restore Saturday Route A Service, 7:45AM to 6PM
 Ridership has been growing in Paso Robles
 Only Route B operates on Saturdays currently
 Increases ridership by 4,400 trips
 Increases annual operating costs by $39,700
 Restore Route 9 Express trips
RTA Fare Structure Recommendations
 Implement Cal-ITP Open-Loop Contactless Payment/Fare-Capping System countywide
 $2 for 1 Hour fare structure to replace current zone fares on Regional Routes (not recommending increase for local Paso Robles transit services)  Makes fare payment easier and convenient for passengers, therefore encourages ridership
 Promotes “fare fairness”
 Potential to phase out GenFare fareboxes
 Discount Fare Verification Process
Questions?
Geoff Straw, RTA Executive Director
[email protected]
(805) 541-2228