The Western Placer Consolidated Transportation Service Agency (WPCTSA) is a joint powers agency (JPA) with the power to provide and coordinate social service transportation for the western portion of Placer County, including services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities. Under the terms of the JPA, PCTPA was designated as the administrator of the WPCTSA.

The PCTPA Board of Directors serves as the WPCTSA’s Board of Directors, as such whenever the PCTPA Board convenes WPCTSA matters may or may not be included in the agenda. The PCTPA Board meets monthly.

WPCTSA services went into effect in January 2009, and the programs are intended to provide transportation services for Placer County residents who are not able to use conventional public transit services operating within western Placer County.  Each program responds to a unique transportation need not otherwise currently met or met well within a prescribed service area.

Funding for the WPCTSA services and programs comes from Article 4.5 of the Transportation Development Act (TDA), which is typically apportioned by the PCTPA Board of Directors in August each year. The WPCTSA currently collaborates with partnering agencies and/or non-profit organizations, to administer its programs, such as the City of Roseville and Seniors First.

Some of the programs funded and/or administered by the WPCTSA include: 

• South Placer Transit Information (SPTI) Center, also known as the Call Center (operated by the City of Roseville)
• SPTI Transit Training and Education Program (operated by the City of Roseville)
• Placer Rides Program (operated by MOVE)

For more information about the WPCTSA’s programs, call the SPTI Call Center at (530 or 916) 745-7560.

Placer Rides Program

The Placer Rides program replaced the former My Rides and Health Express services in an effort to continue providing efficient and effective transportation alternatives to Placer County residents that would not otherwise be able to access traditional public transit systems and/or services. Placer Rides is a mileage reimbursement program in support of individuals unable to drive or use public transit. Overall, the Placer Rides program makes door-to-door services available to residents throughout Placer County, including areas such as North Tahoe, Sheridan, and east of Colfax to the I-80/SR-20 Interchange near Yuba Gap. 

Eligible riders find a driver, usually a friend, family member, or neighbor to take them to medical appointments, the grovery store, or other essential life trips. Each month, riders request mileage reimbursement that they give to their driver. If a driver is occassionally unavailable, Placer Rides may be able to pay for a "last resort" trip through a commercial service for non-emergency medical-related appointments.

Eligibility for Placer Rides is limited to individuals who are residents of Placer County and satisfy the following criteria:

1. Seniors (60+), or disabled (as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act), or low income (e.g., qualify for Medical),
2. Unable to drive themselves, and have difficulty utilizing other forms of public transit due to challenges such as:
   • Lack of service at home or destination, or
   • Difficulty utilizing available fixed route or on demand services.

To determine eligibility for the program and/or request an application, call 530-382-0391 or email info@placerrides.org. More information about the program can be found on the Placer Rides website.

Transit Training and Education Program

If you or someone you know needs some one-on-one assistance with navigating the local fixed-route and on-demand transit services (provided by Auburn Transit, Placer County Transit and Roseville Transit), a Transit Trainer can help. Contact the program administrator by filling out the contact form on the Transit Training Program website or by calling (530 or 916) 745-7560.

Bus Pass Subsidy Program

Are you a non-profit, community based organization or local government agency that would like to provide your clients/customers with free access to available public transit services in the region? The South Placer Bus Pass Subsidy Program will subsidize the purchase of transit day passes for fixed-route trips by qualified social service agencies and non-profit organizations for distribution to their clients/customers. Fixed-route services are provided by the following three transit providers operating in south Placer County: Auburn Transit (can be used for former Auburn Loop services currently provided through Auburn OnDemand), Placer County Transit, and Roseville Transit. Participation in this program is limited to social service agencies and qualified non-profit organizations located in Placer County to facilitate client transportation to any of the following programs:

• Aid to Families with Dependent Children - General Aid
• California Medical Assistance (Medi-Cal) - Medical
• County Medical Services Programs - Medical
• Food Stamps (CalFresh) - Food
• Multipurpose Senior Service Programs - Senior Services
• CalWORKS - Employment
• Medi-CAL - Medical
• Housing Choice Voucher Program - Housing
• SSI/SSP - General Aid
• Women, Infants, and Children's Program (WIC) - Food
• General Relief / General Assistance (GR / GA) - General Aid

For more information please review the South Placer Bus Pass Subsidy Program's Rules and Selection Criteria. For consideration to participate in the program, please complete the Bus Pass Subsidy Program Application Form electronically and e-mail the completed form to mcosta@pctpa.net.