Kim Voge, Planner III
Proposed Changes to Sonoma County Transit Bus Routes
Receive a presentation from Sonoma County Transit (SCT) and provide feedback on proposed changes to local fixed service routes.
The recommended action supports the goal of Livability. Goal Statement: Preserve community character by maximizing the use of existing amenities and creating future opportunities that enhance quality of life for all.
Sonoma County Transit (SCT) is operated by the County of Sonoma Department of Public Infrastructure and provides fixed-route bus service in Windsor, including local service on Route 66 and intercity service on Routes 60, 60X, and 62 connecting Windsor with Santa Rosa and communities to the north.
SCT is proposing updates to its fixed-route schedules as part of the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service (MASCOTS) Plan, Phase II, a joint planning effort among Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, and Petaluma Transit. MASCOTS plans routes across the three systems as a single regional network, with the goals of reducing duplicative coverage, coordinating transfers, improving on-time performance, and strengthening access to the SMART train.
The proposed changes also respond to growing financial pressure. Contract costs for fixed-route and paratransit service increased in Fiscal Year 2026-27, and operating expenses are outpacing revenues. The proposal focuses resources on the most productive services while reducing service that is duplicative or underperforming.
SCT must comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 due its financing through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The 2025 Title VI Civil Rights Program update for SCT is provided in Attachment 1. Because the program includes major service changes, a public hearing will be held before the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors on October 27, 2026. No fare changes are proposed. If approved, the changes would take effect on February 14, 2027.
Countywide Overview
The proposal includes updates to SCT Routes 10, 20, 20X, 24, 26, 28, 30, 42, 44/48, 60, 60X, 62, 66, and 67. Together, the changes re-time routes to improve reliability and transfer coordination, re-orient service around SMART stations, and consolidate or eliminate routes with low ridership or overlapping coverage.
Proposed Changes in Windsor
Four routes serving Windsor are affected. Route 62, which operates between Santa Rosa and Windsor, is proposed for suspension due to low ridership and duplication with SMART train service and the Connect Airport shuttle. Route 60 will be adjusted to serve the County Center in Santa Rosa, re-timed, and its deviation to Walmart removed to improve travel time and reliability. Route 60X will be adjusted to operate between the Windsor SMART station and Cloverdale, providing a direct, timed connection to SMART for riders traveling from the north. Route 66, the Windsor local route, will be re-timed to improve reliability and connections with SMART; the route will also be stopping outside the Raley’s parking lot, rather than inside the lot, to improve safety.
Public Outreach
Outreach for SCT’s Strategic Transit Plan between May and July 2026 included stakeholder interviews, community and onboard passenger surveys, and public workshops, one of which was held in Windsor. Respondents prioritized frequent, reliable service on the most essential routes, and 60% prioritized connections to SMART. A separate bilingual MASCOTS survey in Fall 2025 (740 responses) showed strong support for restructuring the regional network around SMART and for improved access to SMART from the north. Notice of the proposed changes and public hearing has been provided through a legal notice and bilingual display advertisement in the Press Democrat, bilingual advertisements on SCT buses, and social media.
Next Steps
Following the October 27, 2026 public hearing, SCT will finalize schedules by November 15, 2026. Bilingual notices will be posted on buses two weeks before implementation, and the new schedules will take effect February 14, 2027.
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this item.
This action does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and requires no environmental review.