Episode 12: Inside SacRT's Planning

In this episode of Next Stop SacRT, host Gregg Fishman talks with Craig Norman, SacRT’s Director of Engineering and Construction, about recently completed projects, including the new Dos Rios and 7th & Railyards light rail stations and improvements to the Watt/I-80 Transit Center. They also discuss upcoming light rail modernization efforts, new real-time passenger information signs, and bus maintenance facility upgrades, all aimed at improving safety, accessibility, and reliability for riders throughout the Sacramento region.Learn more about the projects mentioned in this episode at sacrt.com/podcast.

In this episode of Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman talks with James Drake, SacRT’s Senior Manager of Service planning about the challenges of designing and managing bus service across a growing Sacramento region. Take a look behind the scenes of transit planning, what goes into choosing bus routes and stops, balancing service frequency with route extensions, and mo

On this episode of, Next Stop: SacRT, Gregg Fishman sits down with Robin Stimson, Vice President of Business Development for Siemen’s Mobility Inc. and Vince Beatty, SacRT’s Assistant Vice-President of Light Rail Operations. Learn about Siemen’s Mobility’s history in Sacramento, how they’ve grown since then, and more about their history with SacRT. You’ll hear about the challenges that come with operating nearly 40-year-old vehicles, our transition to the new low floor S700 vehicles, and more on light rail modernization. 

On this episode of, Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman, sits down with Cheryl Croshere, the Executive Director of the 50 Corridor Transportation Management Association and Casey Courtright, SacRT’s Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to discuss alternatives for people commuting into downtown Sacramento, and especially, for California State employees who may now be required to be in the office more frequently.   Learn more about current transportation alternatives, including subsidized transit options, benefits that 50 Corridor TMA members receive, and updates on the transition from Connect Card to Transit Connect. To learn more about all the topics discussed this episode, visit, sacrt.com/podcast.

On this episode of Next Stop SacRT, host Gregg Fishman sits down with SacRT’s Director of Marketing, Communication and Public Information, Jessica Gonzalez; Girl Scout Troop Leader Deana Chan; and Troop 4204 Scout Sydney to talk about the creation of the new SacRT Transit Patch Program. Developed in partnership with Girl Scout Troop 4204 as part of their Journey Take Action Project, the Transit Patch Program introduces Scouts to the Sacramento region’s transit system while teaching important life skills like trip planning, community awareness, and riding transit safely and responsibly. Learn how the idea came to life, what Scouts experience during the challenge, and how the program helps build confident youth riders who understand the value of public transportation. To learn more about the Transit Patch Program, visit sacrt.com/TransitPatch.  

This episode explores SacRT’s RydeFreeRT program and how fare-free transit for students in grades TK–12 is making a real difference in classrooms and communities. Hear from school partners and students about the benefits of reliable, fare-free transportation, from boosting attendance to expanding opportunities beyond the school day.  

In this Earth Day–themed episode of Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman sits down with two leaders dedicated to cleaning up Sacramento’s air: Jennifer Finton, Executive Director of Breathe Sacramento, and Alberto Ayala, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.Together, they reflect on how far our region has come, from the days when summer haze obscured the Sierra Nevada, to today’s cleaner skies and major progress in meeting federal air quality standards. Plus, learn how you can celebrate Earth Day with SacRT by trying transit on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, using a promotional flyer available at the link below.Link to flyer: sacrt.com/EarthDayTune in and take your next steps toward a cleaner, greener Sacramento.

SacRT is transforming the way you pay your fare! In this episode of Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman sits down with Casey Courtright, SacRT’s Director of the Office of Management & Budget, to talk about Transit Connect, the new mobile fare payment app replacing ZipPass. Learn what’s available now, what’s coming in 2026—including contactless fare payment, fare capping, and real-time service alerts—and how these changes will make riding easier and more connected than ever before. 

What does it take to modernize an entire transit system while keeping service running every day? In this episode of Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman sits down with Craig Norman, SacRT’s Director of Engineering, to explore the massive projects shaping Sacramento’s transit future. From preparing for new low-floor light rail vehicles and upgrading platforms, to building the new Dos Rios Station and planning future expansions into the Railyards, Craig shares how his team is literally building the foundation for better mobility. Plus, hear about the challenges, opportunities, and what excites Craig most about the future of transit in our region.  

This January, SacRT is partnering with local organizations to help prevent human trafficking in our region during Human Trafficking Awareness Month.Please Note: This episode includes discussions and real stories related to human trafficking, which may be sensitive or distressing for some listeners.In this episode of Next Stop: SacRT, host Gregg Fishman talks with:👤 Lisa Hinz, VP of Safety, Security & Customer Satisfaction👤 Jessica Gonzalez, Director of Marketing, Communication & Public InformationTogether, they share how SacRT is working to protect vulnerable individuals, raise awareness, and empower the community to take action. Learn about the signs of trafficking, how transit agencies play a critical role, and what you can do to help.