SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — A new mobility hub in Del Paso Heights can be found at the corner of May Street and Grand Avenue. Its purpose is to build transportation equity.
"It's a transportation enhancement in a community where transportation has had its limitations," said Jaime Lemus with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District. "Our history of land use has included what we call redlining, where we provide resources in some communities and we don't provide enough resources in other communities."
As part of the mobility hub, people can rent an electric car in advance for $4 an hour. They can also use a ride sharing program called Planned, Share, Go.
"That's the one, where let's say, there's an elderly in the community or someone with a disability or a youth that needs a ride to get somewhere," said Lemus. "They can plan, share the ride and go to their destination."
The mobility hub comes with an electric shuttle bus stop which also provides rides to students with GreenTech to get to training centers.
"GreenTech is a non profit, a community based organization, that teaches high schoolers and college students about career opportunities in clean energy, energy efficiency and sustainable living strategies," said Simeon Gant, founder of GreenTech. "On Grand Avenue, there are several bus stops up and down the street. However, the buses are not always convenient."
GreenTech uses the mobility hub to help educate the youth. Mekaiah Staley is a student with GreenTech and says he's learned a lot about protecting the environment.
"I'm learning about how important it is that we switch from gas vehicles to electric vehicles to stop carbon emissions in transportation," said Staley.
The City of Sacramento donated the land for the project. At first, the area was an empty dirt lot. The project costs about $2 million with funds coming from multiple groups, like the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.
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“The new mobility hub is a great example of how we address climate change with more economic opportunities for neighborhoods that have been most harmed by pollution. This is inclusive economic development, its career pathways for young people, it’s ensuring that every neighborhood in our city and in our state has access to clean energy and easy green electric mobility,” said Mayor Darrell Steinberg.
The first phase of the project is complete. The next step is providing electric bikes, electric scooters, more electric vehicle charging stations, bike racks, charging benches and green open space. There will also be WiFi, a digital kiosk and a solar canopy.
The mobility hub is the first of its kind in the Greater Sacramento region. At least 51 more mobility hubs are being planned for other areas.
"The mobility hub is significant just because it provides an opportunity for the people in the community to be able to get exposure to the electric vehicle infrastructure," said Kamiron Belton, site manager for the mobility hub.
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