If you have Commute Diary spins earned so far in 2011 in the Commuter Club, they will expire on 11/30/2011, to make way for the December Cash Wheel.

You must use all your spins before December 1st.

Make sure to log into the Commuter Club and use those spins soon!
Good luck!

Walking regularly has shown to be helpful preventative fighters of killers, such as heart disease and cancer. We understand with the time and weather change; you might be less inclined to be outside. We have some tips for you!

Dressing for cold weather is easier than ever with all the great high tech fabrics currently available. If you are walking in the dark, be sure to wear brighter reflective color so that drivers and cyclists can see you.

Dry feet make a huge difference in walking comfort, especially when walking in the rain. You can waterproof your shoes or boots yourself with a simple treatment.

Don’t forget your umbrella as you run out the door!

Too far to walk in the rain and need to get downtown? Take the Flyer Shuttle! This is a neighborhood friendly shuttle that will take you only downtown. Don’t waste your time sitting in traffic – it’s only $1.50. NorthNatomasTMA.org

Our practically famous Bike Doc is on tour again and will be making an appearance at the Creekside Fair (Kokomo Park - 4801 Kokomo Drive) on Sunday, October 16th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you have missed this fix-it-up show in the past, we encourage you to stop by and give your velocipede a mini-makeover and tune-up. You’ll probably get some quick DIY tips and tricks, too. Please note that, as always, bikes will be repaired on a first-come, first-served basis and getting there early is recommended so that our mechanics have enough time to give your bike the proper diagnosis. Only one bicycle per person, please. Have questions? Call us at 916-419-9955.

Take your bike out for a joy ride on September 17th around West Sacramento (27 miles). It will be a fun time in the sun enjoying a ride with great company. Roll through downtown West Sacramento, around the commercial corridor, over the Deep Water Channel, and nab a table at Nugget Market for goodies in Southport - hosted by the TMA. On the way back, we’ll take in ski boats, the Riverfront Promenade and cruise by the Crocker Art Museum as we head for home. No need to RSVP – just show up! Meet at the NNTMA office, 1960 Del Paso Road, and the group will depart at 8:30 a.m. Of course, don’t forget to bring your helmet, water, and an extra tube in case you get a flat!

If you’d rather stay in North Natomas, pedal on over to the North Natomas Library (4660 Via Ingoglia located off Del Paso Road). Bike Doc will be making another "house call." So, bring out the old two-wheeler and bike mechanics will give it a facelift on Saturday, September 17th from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Bikes will be repaired on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend coming early so the mechanics have enough time to give your bike the proper diagnosis. One bicycle per person, please. For more information, please call the North Natomas TMA, 916-419-9955.

Riding the Flyer Shuttle helps you save your gas money for other fun things – vacations, concerts, sports. It’s easy to use – wave at the shuttle as it nears and jump on! Neighborhood-friendly – an opportunity to meet your North Natomas neighbors – imagine that! Bike-friendly – shuttles are equipped with bike racks so you have the opportunity to ride your bike to lunch, or even cycle home. It provides convenient links with other transportation options – cycling, walking, transit. Best of all, ride FREE on Spare the Air Days – need we say more???

For more information, call the North Natomas TMA, 419-9955 or visit our website NorthNatomasTMA.org.

During the weekend of July 8, 2011, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will temporarily close three Gold Line light rail stations to perform construction work for the Green Line to the River District light rail extension.

In order to minimize disruptions for passengers and surrounding businesses in downtown Sacramento, traffic detours will start at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 11. This work will require the closure of the 8th & K, Sacramento Valley Station and 7th & I/County Center light rail stations from 7 p.m. on Friday, July 8 through 4 a.m. on Monday, July 11.

As an alternative, shuttle buses will transport Gold Line passengers to and from the Sacramento Valley Station, and will serve bus stops at 7th and K streets, and 8th and K streets.

During construction, Gold Line light rail trains will continue to serve the 8th & Capitol Station. Trains will continue north to temporarily serve the St. Rose of Lima Park (9th & K) Station, return to the St. Rose of Lima Park (7th & K) Station, and then resume regular service.

In addition, street closures will take place from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 8 until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 11 at the intersections of:

- 7th Street and H Street
- 7th Street between G Street and I Street
- H Street between 6th Street and 8th Street

This will be the third of four scheduled weekend closures affecting the 8th & K, Sacramento Valley Station and 7th & I/County Center light rail stations in the coming months.

The Green Line to the River District is the first phase of the Green Line to the Airport light rail extension project. The Green Line to the River District will extend light rail 1.1 miles north to 7th Street and Richards Boulevard at the Township 9 development.

For more information about the Green Line to the River District, call 916-930-1192. To sign up for Green Line to the River District construction alerts, email Jo Noble at jnoble@sacrt.com.

For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.

As the mercury rises here in the Valley, so do the number of chances to help the environment and your wallet by riding the Flyer Shuttle for free. Just be on the lookout for the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District’s “Spare the Air” days to get a lift at no cost during these hot summer months. Sign up to receive alerts through the Spare the Air website: http://www.sparetheair.com/airalert.cfm

"Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving." -Albert Einstein

Would you like smart tips for cycling around Natomas? We have a bike clinic just for you! These free clinics offer great information for new riders and helpful reminders for seasoned ones. Information provided includes strategies for biking safely and predictably, rules of the road including lane positioning and other essentials for riding defensively. Two clinics will be offered in May at the North Natomas Library: May 10th at 6 p.m. (open to all); and May 25th at 6 p.m. (for parents and their children).

After learning these life-saving tips and skills, you will be pumped and ready to join us in May as we strive for the goal of a million miles cycled. This regional campaign, also called “Million Mile May,” encourages cycling as an alternative form of transportation to improve air quality and promote health. Adults and children can participate by choosing pedal power over the car for commuting to work, school and errands. Even recreational riding counts! To learn more about the campaign and how logging your miles enters you to win weekly prizes, visit www.MayIsBikeMonth.com for more information or contact North Natomas TMA at (916) 419-9955.

We are so excited to start work on these donated bikes. We look forward to giving them back to Natomas students. 17 bikes have already been repaired!

As some of you are aware, we have had difficulty with our current Commuter Club system. In order to get the site working correctly, and to serve you better, we are making some temporary changes. After January 3, 2011 when you log into the Commuter Club it will have the appearance of the old site, from 2009.

If you want to keep a record of your 2010 Commute Diary entries, you will need to print it out. You can do this with the Commute Savings Summary, accessible through the Commute Diary page. Unfortunately, this data will not be transferred to the "new" site!

You will need to enter your email address, and your home zip code, the first time you go to the Commuter Club. If these two pieces of information match our records, your profile will appear. You will be asked to update your profile and select a new password. If a record isn't found using these two pieces of information, you will be asked to create a new account.

We will use the 2009 version of the site until a new site, incorporating new concepts and technology, can be built. This will take a few months.

Thank you for understanding and working with us to create a better site for everyone!

The NNTMA Flyer Shuttle will not be operating on Thursday, November 11th, in honor of Veterans’ Day. Should you need to commute downtown on Thursday, the TMA encourages you to share the ride with a neighbor or friend. The Flyer will resume its regular schedule on Friday.

RT TO OPERATE LIMITED EXPRESS TRIPS ON VETERANS DAY
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will operate limited express bus service on Veterans Day, observed on Thursday, November 11, 2010. Trips marked with an "H" will not operate.

RT's administrative offices at 1400 29th Street, and Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R Street will be open during regular business hours. RT's Call Center will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for assistance with route and schedule information.

For route, schedule and fare information, call 916-321-BUSS (2877) or visit www.sacrt.com.

EFFECTIVE October 11, 2010.

After the intersection was completed at Gateway Park Blvd and Terracina Drive, the location became unsafe for our shuttle to stop. To alleviate a safety concern, this stop has been moved further north up to Gateway Park at the Gold's Gym Plaza. There is a convenient pull out just south of Del Paso Road, which makes for an easy and safe place for the shuttle to pull over and pick up passengers. The shift of the stop will not affect the current time schedule. Our new map is available on line:
http://www.northnatomastma.org/shuttle/schedule_east.asp

Come out and Celebrate Natomas with your family and neighbors! This Saturday, September 11th, the North Natomas TMA will be hosting a booth at the festival, from 12 - 5 pm. Come by, say hello and grab a FREE copy of the Natomas Bike Map!

Our Flyer Shuttle is scheduled to take people from the convenient parking available at Natomas High School (3301 Fong Ranch Road), directly to the festival — making loops every twenty minutes. Carpool down to the lot with your friends, and share the ride. Better still — leave your cars at home, and bike on over! There will be bicycle parking available on site.

See you there!

Periodically, throughout the year, we like to ride along on the Flyer and to see how things are going. It’s been a great way for us to get to know our riders better and to hear, first hand, how everything is going. We usually bring a small breakfast treat for our riders, a token to thank you for riding with us.

On August 19th, we will be riding the Flyer again. During this difficult economic time, our School Districts are facing hard cuts and limited resources. We will be collecting new school supplies for the children in need who attend our local schools in North Natomas. Don’t worry – we’ll still bring you treats!

If you want to donate school supplies, please bring them when you take the Flyer Shuttle on August 19th. They can be handed to TMA staff or your driver.

Examples of School Supplies:

Binders, Notebooks (spiral and marble), Pen/Pencils, Backpacks, Highlighters, Rulers, Etc.

In advance, thank you for your generosity and we look forward to seeing you on August 19th.

In response to an estimated $25 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) will implement service changes affecting bus, light rail and complementary paratransit service effective Sunday, June 20, 2010.

RT will implement the following service reductions that will affect North Natomas:

Both SATURDAY and SUNDAY service will be discontinued on Routes 13 and 14.

Service AFTER 9:00 PM will be discontinued on Routes 13 and 14.

During the last few years, RT has implemented a number of cost-cutting measures - including service reductions, fare increases, a hiring freeze, freezing employee pay and employee furloughs. By September 2010, RT will have reduced its workforce through layoffs and retirements by approximately 180 employees since the RT Board of Directors approved service changes on March 29, 2010.

Service reductions, combined with approximately $11.1 million in State Transit Assistance funds expected to be restored to RT and revenue generated by the future expansion of the Park-Pay-and-Ride (parking fee) program, will resolve the $25 million budget shortfall for Fiscal Year 2011.

On the week of March 29th, staff rode along with the Flyer Shuttle. We all enjoyed muffin tops for breakfast and shared information about our upcoming organized bike rides and the new pilot program, Errand Share. It's always fun to spend a morning with our riders! We try to ride along with the Shuttle a few times a year because it’s a valuable way to reach our ridership. It gives us an opportunity to see how the Shuttle is doing and experience first-hand what our riders experience everyday. We hope this gives riders the chance to voice any comments or concerns they might be having. If you have something important you want us know about, you can reach us at any time by phone (916.419.9955) or by email (sarah@nntma.org). If you missed us this time, don’t worry – we’ll be back on board in a few months. Hope to see you then!

Shuttle Plan in the Works
8/3/2009

Several of our seasoned riders call from time to time to advise us of up-to-the-minute happenings on the shuttle. We appreciate it because often we wouldn't know otherwise. And those who are on standing-room-only loops are such good sports and are using the hand rails and straps without complaint. We know this is a pain and it's not in our plan to having anyone standing. To this end, this winter we will complete a Five Year Transit Plan that will reveal some good info about the future and The Flyer. Stay tuned…