​A new, Clean Air Express 45-foot battery-electric intercity commuter bus made its debut in Santa Barbara County today, January 28. Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) in partnership with Caltrans purchased the all-electric intercity bus with funding provided by Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The Clean Air Express is a weekday commuter bus service between Santa Maria and Lompoc and employment locations in South Santa Barbara County. The service is operated by SBCAG and funded by Measure A, Santa Barbara County’s transportation sales tax measure.
 
The Clean Air Express battery electric bus features a 220-mile range that easily meets the longest round trip in service of 150 miles. The all-electric bus combined with the replacement of a diesel bus eliminates 450 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to CO2 emissions from more than 80 residential homes’ electricity use for one year. Through a partnership with Central Coast Community Energy, the bus is charged at SBCAG’s Transit Facility in Goleta with 100% renewable electricity.
 
“We know that transportation is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States,” said SBCAG Board of Directors Chair Das Williams. “A switch to cleaner, quieter, and smoother public transit options is a switch in the right direction, one that is imperative for our future – for our children and neighbors. Today we see just how the zero-emission vehicle industry’s evolving technology is changing the game for long-range transportation options improving the efficiency, experience, and commuter benefits to save energy and the environment.”
 
The Clean Air Express serves more than 7,000 passengers each per month with nine weekday round trips. The commuter bus service supports residents of Lompoc, Santa Maria, Buellton, Solvang, and adjacent unincorporated areas in North Santa Barbara County commuting to jobs in Goleta and Santa Barbara.
 
“All-electric buses serving long-distance commuters are the way forward to cleaner and healthier transportation options for all Californians,” said California State Senator Monique Limón. “I am proud that Santa Barbara County is among the first communities in the nation to provide an all-electric commuter bus as California transitions to zero-emission public transportation vehicles.”
 
Of the $850,000 cost of the all-electric bus, Caltrans provided $500,000 in SB 1 funds from the State Rail Assistance Program. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road construction and transit projects progress more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about other transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
 
“Critical SB 1 investments like this help connect communities and reduce environmental impacts from transportation,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “Caltrans is committed to doing its part to achieve California’s carbon neutrality goal no later than 2045, and projects like this are an important component of that effort.”
 
The Clean Air Express was created by the Santa Barbara Air Pollution Control District in 1990 to improve regional air quality by reducing the number of commuters driving alone. SBCAG assumed management of Clean Air Express in 2001 and has since expanded the service by purchasing new buses, adding payment flexibility, installing wireless internet access on all buses, and modernizing the customer’s online experience. The public can access easy-to-read information on the commuter bus service schedules, fares, and simple options to contact customer service by visiting the Clean Air Express website at www.cleanairexpress.com.

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Board elected their leadership for 2022. They also approved their regular meeting schedule until December 2022. County Supervisor Das Williams was unanimously chosen to serve as Chair and Lompoc Mayor Jenelle Osborne as Vice-Chair. Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse also joins the board as a new member. The first meeting of the year takes place at 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 20 in the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors Hearing Room at 105 E. Anapamu St., 4th Floor. In-person and remote virtual participation options are available. The public is encouraged to view the agenda at www.sbcag.org/meetings for details on participation options.
 
“2021 saw a once-in-a-generation investment in modernizing public infrastructure on a national level to improve our roads, bridges, broadband, and historic commitments to tackle the climate crisis,” said Chair Das Williams. “Looking forward into 2022, I will work with my Board colleagues, SBCAG staff and community partners to ensure that state and federal investment meets the demands important to our communities and families. Together, we will aggressively seek funding to complete the Highway 101 project in the south coast, work with the community on commuter rail solutions in the central coast, and prioritize opportunities to achieve our cities and county housing goals in order to reduce traffic and air pollution.”
 
The completion of a countywide Broadband Strategic Plan is one of the top priorities for SBCAG in 2022 working with the Broadband Consortium of the Pacific Coast, regional economic development organizations, cities, county, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Federal and State governments have prioritized funding for communities to access high-performing internet in homes, schools, healthcare, libraries and businesses, and work toward digital inclusion across the county. By the end of the year, Santa Barbara communities will better understand the regional needs of broadband internet infrastructure for residents and businesses. It will also highlight opportunities to take action to increase capacity and disaster preparedness, and encourage industry competition.
 
SBCAG works to solve issues that are far-reaching and affect more than just one city, from traffic to housing, air quality and growth. In 2022, SBCAG also hopes to achieve these goals:

• Making progress on the construction of the first seven miles of the Highway 101 Carpinteria to Santa Barbara Project, the region’s number one transportation priority project.  Continuing to seek funding opportunities with state and federal partners to complete the Highway 101 project. The public can stay informed on construction activities by signing up to receive updates at www.sbroads.com.
• Powering up the first battery powered all-electric Clean Air Express commuter bus.
• Working on a multi-county strategy for expanding zero-emission vehicle infrastructure on the Central Coast in preparation for upcoming state and federal funding opportunities.
• Implementing California’s Regional Early Action Planning Grants to help accelerate progress toward state and local housing and climate commitments.
• Conducting an analysis of where and how people are traveling in Santa Barbara County through a Big Data Travel Trends Analysis project. 
• Adopting updated Airport Land Use Compatibility Plans for each airport in Santa Barbara County.
• Installing charging infrastructure at the SBCAG Regional Transit Facility in Goleta to power new zero-emission Coastal Express buses.
• Starting construction on the Measure A funded Highway 166 and Black Road intersection improvement project.

 
SBCAG board meetings take place on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. The 2022 meeting calendar is available on SBCAG's meetings webpage.