SACRAMENTO, CA – As Veterans Day approaches, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is proud to announce a new initiative aimed at giving back to those who have served in the military. Starting in early 2025, SacRT will introduce its first-ever discount fare program for veterans as part of a new “Tap2Ride” Digital Identity service in partnership with the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP).  

SacRT’s six-month pilot program will provide discount fares for up to 60,000 eligible military veterans residing in the Sacramento region. The discount aims to recognize and support those who have served our country.  

“We are on the cusp of something very exciting here – the planned discount fares for military veterans are a first at SacRT and are a long time coming,” SacRT General Manager/CEO Henry Li said. “In this modern era, fare payments are going to get a lot easier because they are integrated into our customers’ everyday lives. You simply use the card you already have in your wallet or purse.” 

While the program will officially launch early next year when all the new tap devices are installed onboard buses and at light rail stations, military veterans can begin the pre-registration process now at the state website benefits.calitp.org, which is connected to the federal Department of Veterans Affairs database for easy eligibility verification. 

“We are very excited to implement this discount for those who have served our country,” said SacRT Board Chair and Sacramento County Supervisor Patrick Kennedy. “This initiative is just one of many ways we are working with the state to make transit more accessible and affordable.” 

Starting next year when SacRT has the “Tap2Ride” system in place, seniors aged 65 and older will also benefit from the inclusion of a digital identification framework when they register their credit or debit card. Although seniors aged 62 and older are eligible to receive discount fare under SacRT’s approved fare structure, the age qualification for senior citizenship in the State of California is 65. That system taps into the federal Social Security Administration database to confirm eligibility and provides greater security while protecting the personal information of those using the system.

Once launched, the discount program will serve as a trial period, during which SacRT will conduct a Title VI analysis to ensure the program benefits low-income and minority riders. Feedback will be gathered from participating military veterans to assess the program’s impact and viability for long-term implementation. 

The new “Tap2Ride” program aims to make fare payment easier, faster, and more accessible for all riders, allowing them to pay for bus and light rail fares with just a tap of their credit or debit cards that are pre-registered through the Digital ID Framework. SacRT riders who prefer to continue using their existing fare payment methods such as Connect Card or ZipPass will have that option as well. 

SacRT’s partnership with CDT and Cal-ITP represents a significant step forward in making transit more convenient for riders. 

“California is committed to creating a statewide digital system that will securely connect residents with the government benefits they deserve,” said State Chief Information Officer and CDT Director Liana Bailey-Crimmins. “By integrating this easy-to-use digital solution into SacRT’s tap-to-ride program, we’re simplifying access to discounts for veterans.”

“Cal-ITP is thrilled to partner with SacRT on this project,” said Gillian Gillett, Chief of Caltrans’ Data and Digital Services Division and Program Manager of California Integrated Mobility. “Tap2Ride technology opens the door to a customer-friendly system that delivers benefits simply and easily – and by doing so makes transit more accessible and welcoming to those who have served our country.” 

As part of this initiative, SacRT is also planning to integrate all fare payment methods into a single unified system over the next year, providing a streamlined experience for all passengers. This will allow passengers to benefit from features like “fare capping,” which automatically calculates the lowest fare based on the number of rides taken in a day. 

Learn more about the program at sacrt.com/tap2ride.  

About Cal-ITP 
The California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) is a statewide initiative designed to modernize transit fare payment systems and improve the rider experience. Administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California State Transportation Agency, and the Department of Technology, Cal-ITP aims to create a more equitable, efficient, and sustainable transit system for all Californians. 

About Digital ID 

The California Department of Technology (CDT) is responsible for the development, implementation, administration, and management of the California Digital ID Framework. The Framework is a collection of data, technology infrastructure, digital services, and governance that allows for secure, privacy-preserving, consent-based use of digital identities across California. The Digital ID Framework is designed to verify identity and prove eligibility for individuals in California using a single credential, a Digital ID.