Faces And Places
Thompson, Garamendi Present $2 Million Check to SolTrans for Electric Buses
U.S. Reps. Mike Thompson (CA-04) and John Garamendi (CA-08) presented a $2 million check to officials from Solano County Transit (SolTrans) for the 100 percent Battery Electric Commuter Coaches project. This funding was secured in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill.
“Climate change is an ever-pressing issue that demands our immediate attention, and any step we can take to reduce emissions is a good one,” said Thompson. “The electrification of public transit is a big step in the right direction that will help SolTrans reduce pollution and provide a cleaner transportation option for the people of Solano County who rely on public transit. I was proud to work with SolTrans to secure this funding and I look forward to seeing these electric buses in action soon.”
“I’m pleased that this $2 million in new federal funding will be devoted to producing 100% clean, batterypowered electric busses for the Solano community. This will reduce noise pollution and make the air we breathe cleaner and safer for all. Thanks to new laws like the Inflation Reduction Act, this is just the first of many new opportunities to improve public transportation in the community while also cutting down on pollution,” Garamendi said.
SolTrans is in the process of transitioning the existing fleet of diesel, hybrid diesel, and CNG buses to an allelectric fleet. SolTrans has secured the majority of the funding for the electrical infrastructure to support this new fleet and construction began last year. SolTrans will be among the first operators
to bring battery electric commuter buses to the region and will serve as a leader in this pilot for other operators to follow and learn from.
SolTrans provides local and express bus service to the Solano County cities of Vallejo, Benicia, and Fairfield, with express bus service connecting to the Contra Costa County communities of El Cerrito and Walnut Creek, which serve as regional connections to the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system. SolTrans also provides direct service to San Francisco which complements the Vallejo to San Francisco ferry service. SolTrans operates and maintains a fleet of 47 buses for its fixed route service. Nine local fixed routes serve Vallejo, one limitedservice route operates in Vallejo on school days, two limited-service routes operate during school open dates within Benicia, and four intercity routes connect to surrounding areas. In addition to fixed route service, SolTrans provides ADA complementary paratransit bus service.
Families Can Apply for Operation Recognition Veteran Diplomas
The Solano County Office
of Education is hosting “Operation Recognition” which honors United States Veterans and Japanese-American citizens who were unable to finish high school due to wartime circumstances with retroactive high school diplomas. SCOE is now accepting applications for the 2023 Operation Recognition celebration on March 24.
“SCOE has been recognizing local veterans and their families with retroactive diplomas for more than a decade now. We are honored each year to acknowledge the sacrifices our fellow Americans have made and celebrate our living and deceased veterans with the diplomas they were not able to receive,” remarked Solano Superintendent of Schools Lisette Estrella-Henderson.
Throughout the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, thousands of young men and women left high school and the comforts of home to serve in the United States Armed Forces. Some veterans who served were not able to finish high school and receive their diplomas due to military service or laws in effect at the time. During World War II many Japanese-American citizens were interned in relocation camps, preventing
them from earning diplomas. Veterans and Japanese-American citizens now have the opportunity to be granted diplomas as a gesture of gratitude for the struggles they endured and the sacrifices they made.
Who is eligible
· Individuals who served in World War II, the Korean War or Vietnam War and were honorably discharged from their military service.
· Japanese-American citizens who left high school
due to internment in World War II relocation camps.
· Families may apply for Operation Recognition diplomas on behalf of eligible persons who are deceasyed.
Restaurant Week.
Families can obtain an application on at www.solanocoe.net/oprec or by calling (707) 399-4475.
Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 3.
Vallejo’s 5th Annual Restaurant Week 2023 Through Jan. 31
Eateries in and around Vallejo, get special offers when you mention “Vallejo Restaurant Week” or show a Vallejo Restaurant Week ad to your server (the majority of restaurants require this to get their deal).
Vallejo’s 5th Annual Restaurant Week returns in association with California Restaurant Month, giving diners a chance to try all the delicious flavors Vallejo has to offer. Prefixed menus, spectacular specials, daily deals, and sip & savor savings.
Go to visitvallejo.com/ vallejorestaurantweek to see the full lineup.
Follow the action on our Instagram and Facebook pages @visitvallejo.