On June 15, the Sacramento Regional Transit District celebrated the grand opening of the Green Line light rail extension to the River District. The extension added 1.1 miles of track and two new stations. The grand opening of the 7th & Richards/Township 9 station was celebrated with the arrival of the inaugural train at the station, which hosted live entertainment, food, community booths, and prize drawings. Mike Wiley, Regional Transit general manager/chief executive officer, explained how building a multimillion-dollar project in the current economy presented major challenges, including weather, underground utilities, and integration of a third light rail line. Rep. Doris Matsui stated that the Green Line has the potential to be a catalyst for smart, transit-oriented development that can breathe life into the historic River District.
–Passenger Transport magazine, Volume 70, No. 13