San Bernardino County Transportation Authority

{{Short description|Planning and operating agency in California}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox public transit | name = San Bernardino County Transportation Authority | image = Logo San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.svg | imagesize = 200px | began_operation = {{Start date and age|1973}} as San Bernardino Associated Governments<ref>{{cite web |title=About SBCTA |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/about-us/about-sbcta/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> | chief_executive = | website = {{URL|gosbcta.com}} | headquarters = San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot<br />San Bernardino, California }}

The '''San Bernardino County Transportation Authority''' ('''SBCTA''') is one of the successors to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG).<ref>{{Cite web |last=De La Cruz |first=Rene Ray |date=October 6, 2023 |title=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority celebrates 50th anniversary |url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2023/10/06/san-bernardino-county-transportation-authority-celebrates-50th-year/71079894007/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Victorville Daily Press |language=en-US}}</ref> 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.

==History== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=SBCTA Fiscal Year 2023/2024 |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FY2023-2024-Adopted-Budget-62823.pdf |website=SBCTA |access-date=19 October 2023}}</ref>

In 2019, SBCTA mulled direct takeover of Omnitrans due to its $520 million deficit.<ref>{{cite web |title=$520 million deficit has Omnitrans eyeing layoffs and bus-line reductions, but is it enough? |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2019/10/21/520-million-deficit-has-omnitrans-eyeing-layoffs-and-bus-line-reductions-but-is-it-enough/ |website=San Bernardino Sun |access-date=9 June 2023 |date=21 October 2019}}</ref> In response to pressure of county supervisors, SBCTA initiated a study of consolidation of Omnitrans called SBCTA County-wide Transit Efficiency Study.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consolidation Study and Innovative Transit Review |url=https://omnitrans.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Item-F2-Attachments-C-F-1.pdf |website=Omnitrans |publisher=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |access-date=9 June 2023}}</ref> By the end of 2020, SBCTA balked at the idea of consolidating Omnitrans under SBCTA due to pension obligations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Omnitrans dodges takeover, but endures service cuts and layoffs |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2021/01/15/omnitrans-dodges-takeover-but-endures-service-cuts-and-layoffs/ |website=San Bernardino Sun |access-date=9 June 2023 |date=16 January 2021}}</ref>

==Funding==

SBCTA operates with a budget of 1.160 billion dollars as of the 2023 fiscal year<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual 2023/2024 Budget |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FY2023-2024-Adopted-Budget.pdf |website=SBCTA |access-date=22 June 2023}}</ref>

==SB Express Lanes== === I-10 Express Lanes === The SBCTA and Caltrans completed the $929.2 million Phase 1 project that added Express Lanes, also known as High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes to Interstate 10 (I-10) from the Los Angeles County line to Interstate 15 (I-15).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/I-10-Corridor-FINAL-ENGLISH-071019.pdf |title= I-10 Corridor Project |publisher=GOSBCTA|date=July 2019|access-date=25 February 2023}}</ref> Under Phase 1, 18 bridges throughout the corridor were either replaced or widened to accommodate the new Express Lanes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/i-10-corridor-project-phase-i/ | title=I-10 Express Lanes }}</ref> Completed in August 2024 and opened as SB Express Lanes

In 2018, SBCTA choose Transportation Corridor Agencies to be account and payment processing partner for SB Express Lanes<ref>{{cite web |title=San Bernardino Customer Service Walk-In Center Opens in Preparation for Future SB Express Lanes on Interstate 10 {{!}} The Toll Roads |url=https://thetollroads.com/news/newsroom/san-bernardino-customer-service-walk-in-center-opens-in-preparation-for-future-sb-express-lanes-on-interstate-10/ |website=thetollroads.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.sbexpresslanes.com/about/ |website=SB Express Lanes}}</ref>

Phase two is planned from I-15 in the west to Pepper Avenue in the east, an addition of 11 miles. The project is currently in final design and right of way phase.

There are longer-term plans to have a {{convert|64|mi|km|adj=on}} continuous HOT lanes network between Alameda Street in Downtown Los Angeles and Ford Street in Redlands. This expansion is planned in four phases. {{As of|2024}}, the proposed segment in Los Angeles County to convert the new HOV lanes to HOT lanes and bridge the gap between I-605 and Monte Vista Avenue is under environmental review,<ref name="LA Express Lanes extension">{{cite web |title=I-10 ExpressLanes Extension Project |url=https://www.metro.net/projects/i-10-extension/|publisher=Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref> the section from Etiwanda Avenue to Pepper Avenue in Colton is planned to break ground in 2025, and the segment from Pepper Avenue to Ford Street in Redlands is still in the planning stage.<ref name="SB Express Lanes extension">{{cite web |title=I-10 Express Lanes |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/i-10-corridor-project-phase-i/|publisher=San Bernardino County Metropolitan Transportation Authority|access-date=September 2, 2024}}</ref>

=== I-15 Express Lanes === The SBCTA has planned to implement tolled express lanes to I-15 from the Riverside County line to Duncan Canyon Road. Construction is expected to begin in 2023. The project is expected to cost $469.65 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=-15 CORRIDOR PROJECT PA/ED |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/EA08-0R800_I-15CP-FPR_Volume-I.pdf |website=SBCTA |access-date=23 May 2022}}</ref>

==Planning== The SBCTA conducts transportation planning for San Bernardino County, California, as well as aligning with plans from neighboring agencies.

===Road projects=== ==== North First Avenue Bridge ==== 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 1930s bridge.<ref>{{cite web |title=North First Avenue Bridge Over BNSF Railroad Project |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/north-first-avenue-bridge-over-bnsf-railroad-project/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title='Deficient' bridge may finally be replaced with $3.2M more than planned from Barstow taxpayers |url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2022/04/18/san-bernardino-county-barstow-first-street-avenue-bridge-replacement/7338826001/ |website=Daily Press |publisher=gannett |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGee |first1=Charlie |title=Barstow declares emergency, enlists $250K to fix 'extreme peril' on First Street Bridge |url=https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news/2022/03/08/barstow-declares-emergency-enlists-250-thousand-fix-first-street-bridge/9432134002/ |website=Victorville Daily Press |publisher=Gannett |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref>

===Transit projects=== ==== Foothill Gold Line Extension==== SBCTA is funding the Gold Line extension from Claremont to Downtown Montclair. However the extension is being delayed because of cost overruns. a 0.65 miles segment costs $171 million. The original cost to cross county line into Montclair was 80 million. SBCTA pushed the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority to use Construction Manager at Risk method for construction to reduce costs. <ref>https://www.gosbcta.com/foothill-gold-line-extension-to-montclair-faces-funding-and-delivery-challenges/</ref>

==== West Valley Connector (BRT) ==== The West Valley Connector, also known as the sbX Purple Line,<ref>{{cite web |title=west valley connector O&M agreements |url=https://omnitrans.primegov.com/Portal/viewer?id=1879&type=2 |website=omnitrans.primegov.com |access-date=5 July 2023}}</ref> is a {{convert|35|mile||adj=mid|-long}} bus rapid transit project spearheaded by the SBCTA that will connect Pomona with Fontana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ceqanet.opr.ca.goxv/2016031071/2|title=West Valley Connector Project|first=San Bernardino County Transportation|last=Authority|website=ceqanet.opr.ca.gov|date=June 20, 2019 }}</ref> The first phase is a {{convert|19|mile||adj=mid|-long}} segment that will run along Holt Boulevard to Ontario International Airport and Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/west-valley-connector-brt/|title = West Valley Connector (BRT)}}</ref> Phase 1 will have 21 stations along the route.

==== Ontario Connector Project ====  As a cost-effective solution compared to the proposed extension of the Foothill Extension project from the Montclair Transit Center to Ontario International Airport, estimated at around $1–1.5 billion,<ref name="musktunnel">{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Elon Musk's Boring Co. proposes tunnel to Ontario airport as alternative to light-rail |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2020/05/27/elon-musks-boring-co-proposes-tunnel-to-ontario-airport-as-alternative-to-light-rail/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |agency=Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> the SBCTA and the airport were 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=ONT Connector Project |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/ontloop-rail-to-air-tunnel-connection/ |website=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |access-date=July 12, 2024}}</ref>

Initially, The Boring Company proposed constructing a single {{convert|2.8|mi|km|adj=on}} tunnel similar to the Las Vegas Convention Center Loop that would cost $60 million.<ref name="musktunnel"/> The company eventually dropped out of the project because they refused to submit another refined proposal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=John |first1=Darryn |title=The Boring Company abandons plans for Ontario Airport loop in California |url=https://driveteslacanada.ca/news/the-boring-company-abandons-plans-for-ontario-airport-loop-in-california/ |access-date=October 4, 2022 |work=Drive Tesla |date=July 20, 2022}}</ref>

The SBCTA moved forward with plans on the project.<ref>{{cite news |title=Local News San Bernardino County moves forward with underground tunnel plan without Elon Musk |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/san-bernardino-county-underground-tunnel-plan-without-elon-musk/ |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=CBS News |date=July 28, 2022}}</ref> The new plans for the project included two {{convert|4.2|mi|km|adj=on}} tunnels that would cost roughly $492 million.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lin |first1=Summer |title=Elon Musk abandoned plans for a four-mile tunnel at Ontario airport. Locals are picking it up |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-27/elon-musk-abandons-plans-for-ontario-airport-tunnel |access-date=July 12, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> The SBCTA selected HNTB as their new contractor to design, build, and maintain the project.<ref>{{cite press release |date=January 27, 2021 |title=HNTB selected by SBCTA for Ontario Airport tunnel project |url=https://www.hntb.com/press_release/hntb-selected-by-sbcta-for-ontario-airport-tunnel-project/ |publisher=HNTB |accessdate=January 2, 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204143624/https://www.hntb.com/press_release/hntb-selected-by-sbcta-for-ontario-airport-tunnel-project/ |archive-date=February 4, 2021}}</ref>

As of October 2024,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ont Connector DEIR |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ONTConnector-DEIR-ExecSummary-wCover.pdf |website=SBCTA |access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref> the proposed route followed a reversed L-shaped alignment consisting of the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink station, Milliken Avenue, and East Airport Drive towards Ontario International Airport.

However, the project was canceled by the SBCTA board of directors at its December 3, 2025 board meeting due to escalating costs.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carréon |first1=Israel |title=$1 billion price tag dooms underground shuttle to Ontario airport |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2025/12/14/1-billion-price-tag-dooms-underground-shuttle-to-ontario-airport/ |access-date=December 21, 2025 |work=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=December 14, 2025}}</ref>

==== Metrolink San Bernardino Line Double Track Project (Lilac to Rancho) ==== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Metrolink San Bernardino Line Double Track Project (Lilac to Rancho) |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/project/metrolink-san-bernardino-line-double-track-project-lilac-to-rancho/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref>

=== Metrolink Enhanced Frequency Rail Service===

SBCTA is planning to increase rail service using ZEMU from Pomona-North to Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink stations to 15 minute frequency in order to replace the Ontario Loop project <ref>{{cite web |title=Board Advances Enhanced Frequency Rail Service Recommendation |url=Enhanced Frequency Rail Service |publisher=SBCTA |access-date=19 January 2026}}</ref>

==Transit services== ===Bus=== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Public Transit and Rail |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/commuter-services/public-transportation-providers/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref>

====Fare Subsidy==== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Popular Omnitrans Free Fares for School Program to Expand Countywide in 2023-2024 School Year |url=https://www.citynewsgroup.com/articles/popular-omnitrans-free-fares-for-school-program-to-expand-countywide-in-2023-2024-school-year-- |website=www.citynewsgroup.com |access-date=9 June 2023 |language=en}}</ref>

===Passenger rail=== ====Metrolink==== 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 ===== thumb|left|200px|Logo of Arrow 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Redlands rail line to begin simulated service Monday |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2022/09/09/redlands-rail-line-to-begin-simulated-service-monday/ |website=SB Sun |date=September 10, 2022 |publisher=San Bernardino Sun |access-date=10 September 2022}}</ref> Service commenced on October 24, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arrow {{!}} San Bernardino Redlands Train {{!}} Metrolink |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/rider-info/arrow/ |website=www.metrolinktrains.com |access-date=18 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2019, SBCTA ordered Zero emissions multiple unit from Stadler for the Arrow line.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Bernardino County agency orders its first zero-emission train for Redlands rail service. |url=https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2019/11/15/san-bernardino-county-agency-orders-its-first-zero-emission-train-for-redlands-rail-service/#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20the%20agencies%20will%20introduce%20the%20Zero,would%20run%20on%20the%20zero-polluting%20trains%2C%20Greer%20said. |website=Redlands Daily Facts |access-date=3 July 2023 |date=16 November 2019}}</ref> The trainset is expected to be in operation by 2024.{{update inline|date=March 2025}}<ref>{{cite web |title=North America's first hydrogen-powered train coming to SBCTA |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/vehicles/press-release/21281669/san-bernardino-county-transportation-authority-sbcta-north-americas-first-hydrogenpowered-train-coming-to-sbcta |website=www.masstransitmag.com |date=September 22, 2022 |publisher=Mass Transit Magazine |access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref>

===Van Pool=== 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 <ref>{{cite web |title=Agenda - Thursday, August 10, 2023 |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Transit_Committee_Agenda_8.10.2023.pdf |access-date=6 August 2023}}</ref>

==Freeway Service Patrol== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Freeway Service Patrol |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/commuter-services/freeway-service-patrol/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref>

==Active transportation== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Non - Motorized Transportation Plan (2018) |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/plan/non-motorized-transportation-plan-2018/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Active San Bernardino Data |url=https://sbcta.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=eedae67087af404ab9506c309b3f2321 |website=sbcta |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Complete Streets |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/plan/complete-streets/ |website=SBCTA |access-date=16 September 2022}}</ref>

===Pacific Electric Trail===

The Pacific Electric Trail is a 21-mile (34-kilometer) rail trail that has been constructed along the former San Bernardino Line.<ref name="RC PET Features">{{Cite web |last= |date= |title=Trail Features |url=http://www.cityofrc.us/cityhall/cs/parks/trails/pet/features.asp |access-date=March 18, 2013 |publisher=City of Rancho Cucamonga |archive-date=June 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629044236/http://www.cityofrc.us/cityhall/cs/parks/trails/pet/features.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board of Directors Meeting July 5, 2023 |url=https://www.gosbcta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/2023-07-05-Board-of-Directors-Full-Agenda-1960.pdf |website=San Bernardino County Transportation Authority |publisher=SBCTA |access-date=3 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pacific Electric Trail Extension |url=https://www.yourrialto.com/762/Pacific-Electric-Trail |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=City of Rialto}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Official website}}

Category:Public transportation in California Category:Public transportation in San Bernardino County, California