Santa Maria and Guadalupe City Councils Approve Transit System Consolidation

In a move poised to enhance regional connectivity and streamline public transportation,  the City Councils of Santa Maria and Guadalupe have approved the consolidation of the  Guadalupe Flyer with Santa Maria Regional Transit (SMRT). This landmark decision  marks a significant step towards creating a more efficient, integrated, and rider-centric  transit network across northern Santa Barbara County. 

Recognizing the close ties and shared ridership between the two cities, and  acknowledging the challenges faced by transit agencies, both City Councils approved  exploring the benefits of unifying their public transit systems. The approved consolidation  will integrate the Guadalupe Flyer’s operations into SMRT, creating a seamless  transportation experience for residents of both communities. 

“This consolidation represents a major step forward in improving public transit for our  region,” Gamaliel Anguiano, Transit Services Manager for the City of Santa Maria, said. “By bringing the Guadalupe Flyer into the SMRT system, we can better utilize transit funding, quickly proliferate rider-centric technologies, and ultimately provide a more  reliable and convenient service for community members in the area.” 

City of Guadalupe Public Works Director David Trujillo echoed this sentiment, stating,  “For Guadalupe residents, this consolidation means improved compliance, more efficient  funding administration, and quicker access to modern transit technologies. We are  excited about the expedited enhanced services SMRT will bring to Guadalupe.” 

Analysis by both City staff and transit operations contractors determined that the  consolidation is operationally, logistically, and financially viable. RATPDev, SMRT’s  contractor, has confirmed sufficient resources to accommodate the Guadalupe routes.  Initially, the expanded service to Guadalupe will be supported by supplemental State  transit funding provided by the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments  (SBCAG) through the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), with long-term  funding secured through continued local and county contributions, as well as new Federal and State grant opportunities now available to SMRT. 

Key benefits of the consolidation include: 

• Seamless Travel: Riders will experience easier and more reliable travel between  Santa Maria and Guadalupe. 
• Simplified Fare System: The current two separate fare and payment systems will  be unified into one. 
• Enhanced Technology: Riders will gain access to unified real-time information and  other rider-centric technologies region-wide. 
• Expanded Mobility Options: The consolidated network will improve access to  commercial, medical, educational, and employment sites in both cities. • Streamlined Operations: Centralizing transit operations will lead to greater  efficiency and improved key performance indicators. 
• Increased Funding Opportunities: SMRT will be eligible for additional state and  federal funding that was previously inaccessible. 
• Improved Regional Connectivity: The consolidation strengthens the overall  regional transit network, including better access to the Guadalupe Amtrak Station. 

The consolidation has garnered support from the City of Guadalupe, the County of Santa  Barbara, and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, all of whom  recognize the significant benefits of a unified transit system for the region. 

To help passengers with the transition, the newly consolidated SMRT fixed route bus  service will be free to use beginning July 1st through July 11th. The free fare promotion is  provided by SBCAG using available State grant funding.  

Learn more at SMRT’s webpage, www.cityofsantamaria.org/transit.