FAIRFIELD — Waterways, railways and highways have all played a role as transportation has evolved over the years in Solano County.
All three of those methods of transportation remain an option for county residents to get around, whether traveling for work or pleasure.
The bulk of travel is by motor vehicle, with many commuters traveling west to the Bay Area or east to Sacramento on Interstate 80, which slices through the middle of the county.
I-80 also serves as a major route for travelers passing through Solano County as well as cargo being transported to and from the Bay Area.
Several routes branch off I-80 in Solano County to the north and south, including Interstate 680, Interstate 780, Interstate 505, Highway 12, Highway 37 and Highway 113.
The railroad, which was a part of the county’s heritage, continues to serve an important role for transportation in the county. Suisun City is a regular stop for Capitol Corridor trains that run between Auburn and San Jose. Work is underway on a new Fairfield-Vacaville train station that will be located on Peabody Road.
Waterways, which played such a key part in the development of several cities in Solano County, provide an additional option to commuters in the county.
The Vallejo Baylink Ferry has commute runs from the Vallejo waterfront to San Francisco. Work is also underway on another ferry stop in Vallejo across the Mare Island Strait from the present terminal, on Mare Island.
An increased focus, meanwhile, has been placed on bicycle and pedestrian routes within the county for those who prefer to walk or pedal their way around.
Air transportation is also growing in Solano County, with Icon Aircraft set to begin manufacturing its sport plane at the Nut Tree Airport in Vacaville. A second airport in Solano County is located in Rio Vista.
Solano County transportation options
Here is where to go to get information on getting around Solano County and the region:
- Fairfield-Suisun Transit System: www.fasttransit.org or 422-2877
- Bay Area Rapid Transit: www.bart.gov or 510-465-2278 (Fairfield and Vallejo buses and Capitol Corridor trains connect with BART stations)
- SolTrans (Benicia and Vallejo bus service): www.soltransride.com or 648-4046
- Vallejo Baylink Ferry: www.baylinkferry.com or 877-643-3779
- Dixon Readi-Ride: www.ci.dixon.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=237 or 678-5020
- Vacaville City Coach Transit: www.citycoach.com or 449-6000
- Rio Vista Delta Breeze: http://riovistacity.com/delta-breeze-transit-system or 374-2878
- Nut Tree Airport, Vacaville: www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/genserv/nta/default.asp or 469-4600
- Rio Vista Airport: http://riovistacity.com/airport or 374-2176
- Capitol Corridor Trains: www.capitolcorridor.org or 877-974-3322
- Solano-Napa Commuter Information: www.commuterinfo.net or 800-535-6883
- Napa Vine Transit: www.ridethevine.com/vine or 251-2800
BART is needed in Solano County to be able to access and/or link to areas/counties where there is BART so we can get to higher paying jobs, and entertainment (sports events, concerts, etc) etc
Anybody who says Solano has a “abundant” options has not lived anywhere else that truly does have abundant options. A four-hour roundtrip bus commute is not an option when the car takes half that. Solano needs BART.