Humboldt Transit Authority News
Service Animal Policy
January 6, 2025
SERVICE ANIMALS
- Service animals are permitted to ride on buses. Service animals are specially trained animals that assist persons with disabilities.
- Service animals must be within the care, custody, and control of their owners. This means that the animal is housebroken, not roaming the coach, barking or growling.
PETS
- All non-service pets, including those whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, must travel in a secure, enclosed carrier specifically manufactured for transporting pets. Enclosed carriers must never occupy a seat. Enclosed carriers must fit under a seat or remain on handler’s lap.
All service animals or pets that display seriously disruptive behavior that represents a direct threat to the health or safety of drivers or other riders or are otherwise not under the rider’s control will not be allowed to ride transit.
EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2024
ALL DOGS MUST BE LICENSED AND VACCINATED BEFORE RIDING TRANSIT
The State of California Health and Safety Code Section 121690(a) and County Ordinance Section 541-32(a), dogs shall be vaccinated for rabies and licensed at the age of 4 months or 10 days after the arrival of the dog in the unincorporated areas of Humboldt County. It makes no difference whether the dog is an indoor dog, never gets out of the yard or house, or the dog’s home is in the county. All dogs must be licensed in the incorporated city or county in which they live. Licenses are due yearly on the anniversary date of the rabies vaccination. Prior to the expiration date of the license, courtesy renewal notices are sent on each dog. *Please note that after August 1, 2024, if your dog is not licensed with tags, your dog will not be able to ride.
RTS Extended Schedule Starts 02/19/2024
February 15, 2024
Redwood Transit Service-Ride Humboldt is extending it’s schedule to start earlier and run later
Updated Schedule effective February 19th, 2024
RTS Extended Ride Humboldt 2.19.2024.single Tab
Microtransit Update – HTA Testing Ride Humboldt Flex Service
November 3, 2023
It has come to our attention that news about Ride Humboldt Flex, HTA’s bus stop to bus stop microtransit pilot, is now being widely shared. We are thrilled so many people are interested in this new service!
Flex is currently in a testing phase so we can identify areas of improvement and correct weaknesses before inviting the public to use the system. Our priority is for riders to have a positive experience on Flex. If you choose to participate in this testing phase based on online information from other sources, we ask for your patience and request that you leave feedback through the system after your ride. HTA is not offering technical assistance to new users during testing.
Flex is much like Uber or Lyft where you can schedule custom rides, but in a shared vehicle. You will be able to take trips to and from any bus stop, as well as additional approved locations that will be added over time. It will be ADA accessible but is not a door-to-door service like Dial-a-Ride.
We look forward to sharing Ride Humboldt Flex with you, keep an eye out on our website www.hta.org and social media accounts for more information!
Blue Lake Service to begin on Monday 10/16/2023
October 14, 2023
The Willow Creek extension of Humboldt Transit
will Start service in
Blue Lake on 10/16/2023
See Downloadable schedule
A&MRTS Announces Tap to Pay on board
September 11, 2023
Arcata Mad River Transit now has tap to pay. Check out the fares page for more information.
Humboldt Transit Authority awarded 17.5 million in grant funds.
April 26, 2023
Humboldt Transit Authority awarded 17.5 million in grant funds.
Project: Expanding Transit Service and Growing Zero-Emission Fleets on California’s North Coast.
This project will deploy 4 battery electric buses on the Yurok Tribal Transit Service for two routes,
including a dial-a-ride service for tribal members, providing key connections to the statewide transit and rail system. The routes will be operated by the Yurok Tribe and provide service from Orleans to Willow Creek through the Karuk, Yurok, and Hoopa Tribal lands.
The awardee will also deploy 6 zero-emission vehicles on an existing Redwood Coast Transit intercity route to Arcata, extend service into Eureka, and construct a new transit center in Crescent City.
Importantly, this will leverage a previous TIRCP award by integrating an existing route and expand service to the new Eureka Regional Transit and Housing Center, which was the subject of a Cycle 5 TIRCP award.
Lastly, the project will design and pilot a prototype over-the-road fuel cell electric coach in an effort to more permanently address the challenges posed with operating zero-emission long-distance routes.
Humboldt Transit Authority Awarded $38.7M Grant for Fuel Cell Electric Buses
July 21, 2022
July 20th, 2022
2022 07 HTA TIRCP Press Release
The Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA) has been awarded a $38.7M grant from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program that will launch HTA’s transition to a zero-emission fleet. Coming soon to HTA are 11 New Flyer fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs) and a hydrogen fueling station at HTA’s facility in Eureka. This fueling station will include a public dispenser for light and medium-duty vehicles (cars, delivery vans, etc.) to help kick start a hydrogen fueling network and supply chain on the North Coast.
“This project is incredibly exciting for HTA – I could not be more proud of our team’s work and this opportunity for innovation. It’s truly a cutting-edge project to reduce emissions throughout our region while providing reliable service and support to more than 600,000 riders every year,” – Natalie Arroyo, Humboldt Transit Authority Board Chair.
HTA partnered with the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt to develop the winning proposal. Peter Lehman, Founding Director of the Schatz Center, shared the excitement. “We’re delighted to be teaming with the Humboldt Transit Authority on this pioneering project.” The Humboldt County Association of Governments, Center for Transportation and the Environment, Servitas LLC, SmithGroup, and Creative Inclusion LLC also made significant contributions to the grant proposal.
HTA worked closely with transit bus manufacturer New Flyer to develop specifications for a next-generation model of their Xcelsior Charge H2TM 
that will meet HTA’s demanding routes. HTA will be replacing the entire fleet of the Redwood Transit system with these new buses.
Fleet maintenance facilities at HTA will also be upgraded to support the new buses.
The hydrogen fueling station will be the northern-most fueling station planned in California. HTA will partner with Air Products Inc. who will design and construct the station. The station will support both bus and passenger car fueling. A fueling dispenser will be available to the public, providing a station that supports the Governor’s target of 200 hydrogen stations by 2026 serving light and medium-duty vehicles. HTA will also offer fueling to other local fleets interested in adopting fuel cell electric cars, delivery vans and other models.
In addition to laying the foundation for a zero-emission transit fleet, this grant also creates a new intercity transit service, the Redwood Coast Express (RCX), that will be served with the New Flyer buses. This service will connect local riders to Ukiah and points south, including the San Francisco Bay Area.
This grant will also construct new intermodal transit center in downtown Eureka. The center will be integrated with workforce and student housing and commercial space and enliven urban life in Eureka. The Eureka Regional Transit and Housing Center (EaRTH Center) will combine local and intercity fixed route services with on-demand, taxi, bike and scooter share, and paratransit services all centralized in Eureka’s Old Town district. This project is expected to contribute significantly to increasing transit ridership and decreasing vehicle miles traveled, two key targets in the County’s Regional Transportation Plan.
Stay up-to-date on project progress by visiting https://hta.org/projects.