Light rail will be on the menu for Fresno County’s transportation tax plan as the Measure C steering committee voted overwhelmingly to add it for consideration.

The proposal comes as the Fresno Council of Governments received funds to study whether light is feasible in the county.

On Aug. 27, the steering committee proposed programs to be funded by the half-cent sales tax that advocates hope to present to voters in June 2026.

Fresno State professor Amber Crowell said light rail was a clean, safe alternative that connects neighborhoods. Of the committee, 73% approved adding it as a proposal.

“I’m looking at getting people where they need to go efficiently and also improving transportation alternatives,” Crowell said.

The steering committee will present its final recommendation to the council of governments later this month. Fresno COG will ultimately have to approve the Measure C proposal.

The steering committee will meet again Sept. 11 to vote on whether the tax should be 20 years or 30 years.

Fresno COG Gets $700,000 to Study Light Rail

Fresnoland reported in July that Caltrans approved a $700,000 grant to study whether light rail for the Fresno-Clovis metro makes sense. The study will assess streetcar types, locations, passenger demand, and cost estimates.

The group also approved broadening out regional transit to connect hubs such as hospitals, universities, and transit stations.

Steering committee members added other proposals including:

• E-scooters and e-bikes to get students to schools and libraries
• Traffic lights to support safe routes for schools
• Traffic calming measures
• Shade infrastructure along walkways
• Rural connectivity
• Prioritizing “worst first” for sidewalk and pavement repair in rural cities
• Microgrids for public transit stations
• Climate mitigation
• Community input for Measure C projects
• Funding for grant writing staff